LGRD state minister’s ‘gifts’ remark legitimises bribery: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has condemned remarks by the state minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives that it says appear to legitimise bribery under the guise of gifts.

Speaking at the inauguration of a training programme for newly appointed assistant engineers of the Local Government Engineering Department on 10 November, the state minister reportedly said that gifts given to engineers from contractors’ profits, after bills are paid promptly and provided work quality is maintained, are not bribes and may be accepted.

He cited advice from a senior secretary.

TIB demanded the immediate withdrawal of the remarks, a clarification of the government’s position, and accountability for both the state minister and the secretary. It also called on the minister to apologise publicly.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “Verifying the quality of work, accepting completed work and ensuring prompt payment of bills in accordance with regulations are part of a government engineer’s routine responsibilities. Engineers receive salaries and benefits from public funds precisely to perform these duties.”

He added that advising newly appointed engineers “to earn money outside the rules from contractors at the very outset of their careers is grossly irresponsible and a violation of the law”.

He asked the minister to identify the law or regulation permitting such benefits. Section 161 of the Penal Code punishes acceptance of any gratification beyond legally authorised remuneration for an official duty, while Section 165 covers accepting valuables in connection with official duties. Under Rule 5(1) of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979, prior government approval is required for gifts that create an official obligation. Rule 5(4) sets a limit of Tk500 per gift for secretaries and officers of equivalent rank. Paragraph 6(2) of Schedule 20 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2025 permits only low-value branded items such as diaries, calendars and pens, up to Tk5,000 each. None, he said, allows engineers to receive personal benefits from contractors.

On conflict of interest, Dr Iftekharuzzaman asked, “How can an engineer remain impartial if they accept personal benefits from the very contractor whose work they are responsible for supervising?”

He warned, “What is being claimed today as a voluntarily offered gift could, tomorrow, turn into a government-sanctioned condition for extracting bribes from citizens seeking services to which they are entitled.”

If the secretary did give such advice, he said, “serious questions arise about the secretary’s professional integrity and ethical fitness to remain in office”. He said the position contradicted the government’s election manifesto.

He also referred to the road transport and bridges minister’s earlier declaration that extortion was a matter of negotiated transactions, saying such positions should be recognised by the government as warning signs.

TIB further demanded that the government seek a formal explanation from the state minister, verify the secretary’s reported advice and take legal action accordingly.