The head of the white paper drafting committee commented that the country had turned into a thieving system from crony capitalism. Devapriya Bhattacharya. He said, 'bureaucrats, politicians and businessmen have done thievery together.'
He said these things at the press conference of the white paper committee at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar of the capital on Monday. All the members of the committee responded briefly in the press conference.
Dr. Debapriya said, 'The whole structure has turned from crony capitalism into a thief system. Its source is the 2018 election. In the subsequent polls, transparency has been lost. Local government accountability has been eroded. The United Nations still thinks that the economy of Bangladesh is sufficient to leave the list of least developed countries. There is no obstacle in the way of becoming a developing country.'
In response to a question from journalists. Debapriya said, 'Bureaucrats have done the most corruption and embezzlement in the past. After corruption, the businessmen lost it.'
Debapriya said, '40 percent of the development budget in Bangladesh has been wasted. Along with that, 10 percent of the country's people are enjoying 85 percent of the wealth.
This economist said that if the country's economic and political stability is not ensured, long-term reform programs cannot be carried out. Before the coming of the next national budget, what initiatives the current government will take to reform the economy of the country, must be clarified. Bring more accountability. Apparently, it seems that this government will not be in charge for five years. But at least the action plan for the next two years should be in front.
He also mentioned that during the Awami government led by Sheikh Hasina, an average of 16 billion US dollars was smuggled every year.
Dr. at the press conference. AK Enamul Haque said that 40 percent of the total expenditure on the development projects of the country has been cheated or looted.
Committee member Dr. Abu Yusuf said that the amount of revenue that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) claims to have in the TIN certificate is not collected. Even if someone dies, there is no effective process for what happens to that certificate or number. The Board of Revenue could not give it to the committee. There is no proper structure of how tax exemptions are given to different individuals, groups or sectors.
Committee member Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui said, extra money has been taken from people for immigration. Money is also laundered through immigration.
Another member of the committee. Salim Raihan said that strong initiatives should be taken in the sectors where reforms are needed.
Member Dr. Imran Matin said, 10 percent of the people have 85 percent of the wealth.
Committee member Dr. Mustafizur Rahman said that the money that was stolen through the mega project, the burden remained on the shoulders of the next generation. Taufiqul Islam Khan said, there are big gaps in the official data.
