The government has initiated the removal of the obligation to submit asset statements by amending the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly criticised this initiative, fearing it will exempt about 15 lakh government employees from accountability. The organisation called to cancel this initiative, expressing concerns that it could protect and encourage corruption.

TIB expressed its concerns in a statement on Tuesday, March 19th. According to the organisation, the Ministry of Public Administration has taken steps to amend the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979, by abolishing the provision for submitting asset statements by government employees. Following scrutiny of the draft amendment by the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, it will be forwarded to the committee on administrative development.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, stated that the proposed amendment to the Government Servant (Conduct) Rules contradicts the government's election pledge and declaration of zero tolerance against corruption at the highest level.

He also mentioned that while initially there was a provision to submit asset statements annually, due to the reluctance of government employees, it was later relaxed to once every five years. However, there was still disinterest in adhering to this provision properly. Government employees often neglect to update their asset statements after five years, even if they provide those at the beginning of their employment. Removing this obligation significantly incentivises public servants to engage in corruption. Without the requirement to submit asset statements, corruption among government employees will likely increase, accumulating illegal wealth. Additionally, the public's suffering in government offices to obtain the services they deserve will escalate, illegal financial transactions will multiply, and the aspiration for a well-governed government system will fail.

The statement highlighted that the logic of deriving officers' and employees' assets directly from annual income tax returns filed with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is practically meaningless. According to the Income Tax Act of 2023, this is because it is not feasible. Sections 309 (2) and 309 (3) of the Act stipulate that no authority can compel any government servant to produce or testify to any tax return, account, or document under the Act. Consequently, the amendment will not hold corrupt employees accountable but will provide them with new protections.

The statement also pointed out that the United Nations Anti-Corruption Charter (UNCAC), adopted in 2003, mandates the annual submission and review of the assets of all government employees, including public representatives. This commitment has been reaffirmed through the National Integrity Strategy of 2012.

In light of these factors, TIB's Executive Director stated that this amendment would raise doubts about Bangladesh's domestic and international commitment to anti-corruption. Bangladesh is a member country of UNCAC, and amending the code of conduct for government employees contradicts global best practices and anti-corruption principles. Furthermore, it undermines the National Integrity Strategy 2012, which government officials helped formulate. TIB urges all stakeholders to refrain from this detrimental initiative, which protects corrupt officials and fosters impunity.