The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is preparing to scrutinize government officials suspected of amassing illegal wealth and assets through corrupt practices. This move aligns with the government’s broader goal of creating a corruption-free and fair Bangladesh.

NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan, speaking at the inauguration of a recent NBR program, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “We definitely aim to establish a discrimination and corruption-free Bangladesh,” he said, noting that preparations for this effort are already underway. Khan, however, cautioned that the progress of these preparations might not be immediately visible to the public, stating, “You cannot see the move of these preparations from the outside.”

Submission of Wealth Statements by Government Officials
In parallel, Md Mokhles Ur Rahman, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, announced that all government officials and employees must submit their wealth statements by November 30 to their respective ministries and departments. Furthermore, wealth reports will be required annually, with a deadline of December 31 each year.

The submission of these statements is part of a broader government strategy aimed at increasing transparency and accountability. The government has provided a specific format for the wealth declarations, which must be submitted in sealed envelopes to the relevant authorities. Any failure to submit the statement or providing false information will result in legal consequences.

NBR’s Ongoing Preparations
While the NBR chairman did not provide an exact timeline for when actions against corrupt public servants would begin, he reassured the public that the organization is steadily advancing its efforts. “We are putting matters on the right track gradually, placing the right things in the right place,” he remarked, noting that the NBR is currently collecting relevant data on this issue.

Legal Framework and Historical Context
According to the Government Servants (Conduct) Rule, 1979 (amended in 2002), all government servants are required to submit wealth statements when they begin their service and update them every five years. This rule was originally intended to combat corruption and ensure accountability, but it has largely remained limited to paper, with little enforcement. Despite several letters from the ministry over the years, there has been little progress in implementing these regulations.

However, the interim government has recently reinforced these requirements, driven by growing concerns about corruption within the public sector. On August 14, the interim government’s Legal Adviser, Professor Asif Nazrul, announced that all judicial officers and their families must submit both domestic and international asset declarations within 10 working days, following consultations with the Supreme Court.

Widespread Corruption Sparks Action
Allegations of widespread corruption have put the issue of illegal wealth among government employees in the spotlight. This has prompted renewed calls for greater accountability and stricter enforcement of wealth declaration rules to curb corruption within the public sector.

The most pressing challenges facing industries over the past six months have been the scarcity of bank funding and ongoing issues with gas and electricity supply, according to Ashraf Ahmed, President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Speaking at a seminar titled “Bi-economic State and Future Outlook of Bangladesh Economy – Private Sector Perspective,” organized by the DCCI on September 28, Ahmed stated, “We are still grappling with gas and electricity shortages. If we cannot address the issues of labour unrest and energy shortages, and fail to keep factories operating continuously for at least four hours a day, it will severely impact exports.”

Ahmed further noted that production in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is also declining. He warned that if these challenges persist, they would not only affect export levels but also significantly harm employment.

Impact on Non-RMG Sectors and the Importance of Alternative Solutions
The DCCI president emphasized that the crisis extends beyond the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, severely impacting non-RMG sectors as well. “We are already hearing that gas reserves are depleting. However, if the nuclear power plant is connected to the grid by the end of this year, there may be a positive shift. Immediate alternative measures are critical to overcoming this situation,” he added.

Ahmed also highlighted that labour unrest, initially confined to Ashulia, has now spread to other regions, raising concerns about its potential to disrupt industrial stability further.

Threat to Investment and Call for Confidence Restoration
Addressing the broader economic outlook, Ahmed stressed that restoring confidence in resolving the energy and labour crises is vital for maintaining investment levels. He warned that private sector investment growth, which has remained around 24% over the past three to four years, could face setbacks if confidence is not rebuilt.

Financial Reforms and Economic Stability
In his address, Ahmed pointed out that the interim government had proposed several financial reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy. “If these reforms are properly implemented, they will positively influence the economy, although it may take time to see results. Increasing tax revenue is also crucial for improving the government’s capacity to repay international debts, so revenue collection should be prioritized,” he noted.

Ahmed also remarked on Bangladesh Bank’s efforts to curb inflation by raising the policy rate. However, he cautioned that the effects of this measure would take three to six months to materialize. He also highlighted the need for careful handling of reforms in the banking sector, particularly for the 10 to 12 weak banks under scrutiny, to avoid negative consequences for the entire industry.

Recommendations for Industry and MSMEs
In his concluding remarks, the DCCI president recommended that bank loans to the industrial sector and MSMEs should be maintained at a consistent, normal level to ensure the stability and growth of these sectors.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today (27 September) called for creating pathways for the Rohingyas to return to their ancestral home in Rakhine State, with safety and rights.

“Looking at the evolving ground situation in Myanmar, Bangladesh is ready to work with the international community to create an environment for dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland,” he said drawing global attention to the Rohingya crisis.

Delivering his speech at the UNGA in Bangla, the Nobel Peace laureate said the protracted crisis in Myanmar also poses growing risks with national and regional security implications for Bangladesh, both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

Seven years on, he said, Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas on humanitarian ground, incurring significant social-economic-environmental costs.

“We remain committed to supporting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar in Bangladesh,” Prof Yunus said.

He said they need continued support of the international community towards the Rohingyas in carrying out the humanitarian operations and their sustainable repatriation.

Equally important is to ensure justice for the grave human rights violations committed against the Rohingyas, through the ongoing accountability processes in the ICJ and the ICC, he said.

Bangladesh recognises and appreciates the efforts of the secretary-general and the United Nations system in creating a conducive environment for Rohingyas so that they can lead a free and dignified life.

Maintaining Peace

Bangladesh views maintaining peace and addressing conflicts is central to peoples’ progress.

“During the recent Revolution, our valiant armed forces have once again shown their commitment to peace by standing firmly with the people in fulfilling their aspirations for freedom during a most difficult time in our history,” Prof Yunus said.

This was possible thanks to their commitment to place human rights at the core of peacekeeping, he said.

“Bangladesh remains equally committed to peace-building, from the inception of the UN Peace-building Commission,” Prof Yunus said, adding that they look forward to promoting and enhancing Bangladesh’s value-driven contributions to the UN peacekeeping operations.

As the third largest troop-contributing country, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served across 63 Missions in 43 countries, to date.

About 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers had laid their lives, from Bosnia to Congo.

“We do hope that Bangladesh defence forces would continue to be called upon in the future UN peace operations, regardless of the challenges or circumstances,” said Prof Yunus.

Genocide in Gaza

In a world of poly-crisis, wars and conflicts are leading to erosion of rights and widespread abuses, Prof Yunus said.

The genocide in Gaza continues unabated despite global concerns and condemnation, he said.

“The situation in Palestine just does not concern the Arabs or Muslims at large rather the entire humanity,” he said.

“Palestinians are no expendable people. All those responsible for the crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people must be held accountable,” said the chief adviser.

Bangladesh calls for an immediate and complete ceasefire to protect the Palestinian people from the brutalities, particularly against the children and women.

The international community, including the UN, needs to act in earnest to implement the two-state solution that remains the only path to bring lasting peace in the Middle East, he said.

The two-and-a-half-year-long war in Ukraine has claimed far too many lives, Prof Yunus said.

The war has impacted far and wide, even lending deeper economic implications in Bangladesh.

“We would urge both sides to pursue dialogue to resolve the differences and end the war,” said the chief adviser.