MPs’ block allocation: TIB voices concern over ‘misuse’, ‘wastage’ of public money

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Tuesday voiced concern over potential misuse and wastage of public funds as a block allocation of Tk 200 million (20 crore) was announced for MPs for the implementation of development projects in each constituency.

It also urged the establishment of a transparent and accountable governance mechanism to ensure proper utilisation of the allocated funds.

On February 18, the LGRD minister told parliament that each Member of Parliament (MP) could receive Tk 200 million over five years for implementing development projects in their respective constituencies.

The process of finalising a project in this regard is currently underway.

TIB Executive Director (ED) Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “Despite the gradual increase in constituency-wise block allocations, there has been historical negligence in ensuring proper fund utilisation and governance in these projects. Lawmakers, who have sole authority over monitoring and addressing complaints related to the projects, often endorse irregularities for personal gain, leading to compromised transparency and accountability.”

He highlighted that such schemes provide opportunities to many parliamentarians to abuse political power, engage in nepotism, and gain unethical financial benefits, ultimately normalising corruption at the local level and misusing state resources.

TIB's concerns stem from its previous study titled "Governance Challenges in the Implementation of the Infrastructure Development Project under Constituency-Based Block Allocation," published on August 12, 2020.

The study uncovered that the schemes under the projects were deemed essential at the local level, but their quality of work did not meet expectations.

This discrepancy was attributed to compromised relationships fostering mutual benefit and commission trading between the contractors and their supervisory authorities involved in the planning and execution of the schemes.

Consequently, irregularities and corruption within the schemes led to the squandering of public funds, ultimately benefiting vested quarters, it said.

Referring to the 2020 study, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said specific recommendations were made, but no noticeable initiatives have been taken to implement those to ensure good governance in use of constituency-wise block allocations.

TIB is now calling for a comprehensive and neutral scrutiny of the previous projects, funded through block allocations, before allocating new funds, he said.

“The organisation also advocates for the implementation of a proper monitoring and evaluation system as well as a mandatory code of conduct addressing the lawmakers' integrity and conflicts of interest in executing development schemes.”