How much is being spent on reform commissions?

The interim government formed 11 reform commissions as part of its national reconstruction agenda. To consolidate the outcomes of these commissions into a unified, credible charter, a Consensus Commission was also established. Soon after assuming office, the government released a white paper on the country’s economic situation.

However, questions are now being raised regarding the financial cost of these commissions. Critics and experts alike are asking: how much public money has been spent, and what has the nation received in return? Given the government’s stated commitment to transparency, many believe that full disclosure of these expenses is necessary.

One such body, the Media Reform Commission, commissioned a nationwide survey through the Bureau of Statistics at a cost of Tk4.26 crore. This figure does not account for other operational expenses incurred by the commission. Similar spending patterns are reported across the other commissions.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said, “As all these expenses involve public funds, the government should disclose a breakdown of spending by each commission. This would ensure greater transparency and accountability.”

It has also been revealed that the chief adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus, granted the commissions significant spending autonomy. In the recently concluded fiscal year, an initial allocation of Tk5.5 crore was made — an amount that has already been spent.

Notably, over Tk4 crore was used solely for conducting the media reform survey. Of this, approximately Tk55 lakh went towards honorariums for personnel involved, with printing and promotional expenses accounting for a further Tk2 crore. Consequently, the new fiscal year has imposed no specific budgetary cap on the commissions’ spending.

Following the political shift ushered in by the mass student movement on 5 August 2024, the interim government established 11 commissions to spearhead reforms. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, a budget of Tk5.52 crore was allocated for their operations. Of this, Tk1.64 crore was earmarked for the Constitutional Reform Commission, Tk1.34 crore for the Electoral Reform Commission, Tk95 lakh for the Local Government Reform Commission, Tk83 lakh for the Police Reform Commission, and Tk76 lakh for the Judicial Reform Commission.

Contacted, Kamal Ahmed, head of the Media Reform Commission, said, “If our recommendations are implemented, media freedom will be guaranteed. We have proposed measures to ensure the financial independence of both journalists and media organisations. This would free journalism from reliance on any individual, family, political power, or government goodwill.”