[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch

[Bilal9]

ACC scrutinises graft allegations against ex-army chief Aziz

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday ordered its scrutiny cell to scrutinise corruption allegations submitted against former army chief General Aziz Ahmed.

www.newagebd.net

ACC scrutinises graft allegations against ex-army chief Aziz
Staff Correspondent 31 May, 2024, 00:34

View attachment 6204
Aziz Ahmed

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday ordered its scrutiny cell to scrutinise corruption allegations submitted against former army chief General Aziz Ahmed.

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This guy is possibly the next big fish to fall OUT OF FAVOR with Hasina, per USA whims.

This is just personal opinion, but all indicators point that way.

He and his family members are already under sanction by the US.​

 

[Saif]

This guy is possibly the next big fish to fall OUT OF FAVOR with Hasina, per USA whims.

This is just personal opinion, but all indicators point that way.

He and his family members are already under sanction by the US.​

People say that Gen. Aziz made crores of Taka by receiving commissions from various arms deals. He even involved his family members in many big ticket arms deals of Bangladesh army.​

 

[Bilal9]

People say that Gen. Aziz made crores of Taka by receiving commissions from various arms deals. He even involved his family members in many big ticket arms deals of Bangladesh army.​

You are correct. This is my information from top army sources as well.

 

[Saif]

You are correct. This is my information from top army sources as well.

I think Hasina will somehow save Aziz because he knows too much about Hasina's Kala Kartoot.

 

[Saif]

Benazir's Savanna Eco Resort closed

Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park, owned by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family, has been closed following allegations of illegal asset acquisition

www.thedailystar.net

Benazir's Savanna Eco Resort closed

Photo: Savanna Bangladesh

Savanna Eco Resort, owned by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family, has been closed following allegations of illegal asset acquisition.

The resort's booking manager, Md Sabbir, confirmed this to The Daily Star, stating that the closure was directed by the authorities due to technical issues.

Sabbir assured that the public would be informed via the resort's Facebook page once it reopens.

The shutdown comes amid ongoing investigations into the alleged illegal wealth accumulation by the former IGP and his family.​

 

[Saif]

Tk 1.77 crore graft: Bakhrabad Gas ex-deputy manager, his wife sued

The Anti-Corruption Commission today filed a case against a former deputy manager of Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Ltd and his wife on charges of embezzling Tk 1.77 crore

www.thedailystar.net

Tk 1.77 crore graft: Bakhrabad Gas ex-deputy manager, his wife sued

Anti-Corruption Commission Logo

The Anti-Corruption Commission today filed a case against a former deputy manager of Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Ltd and his wife on charges of embezzling Tk 1.77 crore.

Deputy Assistant Director of Cumilla Office Mohammad Atiqur Rahman filed the case against Abdul Hai Bhuiyan, 62, and his wife Anjuman Ara Begum, 56, yesterday, Deputy Director Fazlul Haque said.

The accused are residents of Bara Vatua area of Comilla Barura upazila.

According to case statement, the accused who are currently living in West Bagichagaon of the town, could not show any source of acquisition of wealth worth more than TK 1.77 crore.​

 

[Saif]

ACC decision likely today if ex-army chief Aziz to face probe

The Anti-Corruption Commission is likely to take a decision today regarding launching an inquiry into the corruption allegations against former army chief...

www.newagebd.net

ACC decision likely today if ex-army chief Aziz to face probe
Staff Correspondent 04 June, 2024, 00:30

Aziz Ahmed.

The Anti-Corruption Commission is likely to take a decision today regarding launching an inquiry into the corruption allegations against former army chief retired general Aziz Ahmed.

A scheduled meeting of the commission led by its chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah would be held on Tuesday at the commission headquarters in Dhaka where they may take a decision regarding an inquiry into the allegations against Aziz, said ACC officials on Monday.

Earlier on Thursday, the commission in a meeting discussed the graft complaints brought against Aziz, ordered its scrutiny cell to thoroughly examine the allegations and submit a report before the commission for the next course of action.

After the meeting ACC chairman Moinuddin Abdullah told New Age, 'We discussed the allegations against the former army chief.'

'We also asked the commission's scrutiny cell to scrutinise the allegations following rules and regulations and present a report before the commission,' he added.

ACC officials said on Monday that the three-member scrutiny cell had already completed its scrutiny and prepared a report.

Earlier, Supreme Court lawyer Salah Uddin Reagan filed a petition with the ACC on Wednesday seeking an inquiry into the alleged corruption of former army chief Aziz.

According to the lawyer's application, the United States sanctions against Aziz on corruption charges and the reports published in national dailies damaged the image of the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh both nationally and internationally.

Reagan called unfortunate the ACC's reluctance to launch an investigation against Aziz even after such massive corruption allegations.

On May 21, the United States Department of State announced that the former chief of the Bangladesh Army, General Aziz Ahmed, and his family members were generally ineligible to enter the US due to his involvement in 'significant corruption'.

Talking to the media, Aziz, in his instant reaction, said that he was surprised at the announcement of such a US action against him on corruption allegations, which he termed baseless.

Aziz was Bangladesh army chief between 2018 and 2021.​

 

[Saif]

Aussie MP seeks review of funding for Bangladesh

An Australian lawmaker on Tuesday urged the country’s government to immediately review its funding arrangements with Bangladesh to ensure...

www.newagebd.net

Aussie MP seeks review of funding for Bangladesh
Staff Correspondent 04 June, 2024, 20:57

Abigail Boyd. | Collected photo.

An Australian lawmaker on Tuesday urged the country's government to immediately review its funding arrangements with Bangladesh to ensure they were being used to support the people of Bangladesh and not filling the pockets of corrupt officials.

Abigail Boyd, member of the Legislative Council and Temporary Chair of Committees, came up with the demand in a notice submitted to the Parliament of New South Wales.

Boyd shared a video of her statement made in parliament on her verified Facebook page.

She brought the issue to the house, referring to recent United States sanctions on former Army chief Aziz Ahmed over his involvement in 'significant corruption'.

In her notice, she said that this House notes that, on May 20, 2024, the US Department of State announced the public designation of former General Aziz Ahmed, previously chief of the Bangladesh Army Staff, for significant corruption, including interfering in public processes, assisting his brother to evade accountability for criminal activity, and accepting bribes in exchange for government appointments.

In addition, she asked the parliament to note that there were many reports of corrupt activity being carried out by Bangladeshi officials, with the chair of the Bangladeshi Anti-Corruption Commission stating in November 2020 that corruption and bribery are rampant in government services.

The Greens member also said that corruption in Bangladesh had undermined its democratic institutions and the public's faith in public institutions and processes, and the Bangladeshi authorities had further undermined democratic institutions and processes by rigging elections and violently silencing or arresting over 8,000 members of the opposition party in order to maintain power, subjecting their citizens to arbitrary arrests, intimidation, surveillance, extortion, and torture, and carrying out over 600 enforced disappearances since 2009, of which 100 individuals are still missing.

She also said that the Australian government gave $116.2 million in developmental aid to Bangladesh in the 2023–24 financial year and supported Bangladeshi students as they pursued graduate school in Australia.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

‘Indulging in Graft’: ACC to make list of those who aided Benazir

An Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation team is now making a list of police officials, land officials, politicians, and others who aided and abetted former inspector general of police, Benazir Ahmed, in committing corruption.

www.thedailystar.net

'Indulging in Graft': ACC to make list of those who aided Benazir

An Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation team is now making a list of police officials, land officials, politicians, and others who aided and abetted former inspector general of police, Benazir Ahmed, in committing corruption.

Once the list is made, the ACC will quiz the individuals.

The sub-registrars of Dhaka, Gopalganj, Madaripur, and Gazipur land offices are likely to be among them, as Benazir and his family own properties in those districts.

A high official at the ACC requesting anonymity told The Daily Star, "Benazir committed corruption with the assistance of many individuals, as it would not have been possible to indulge in corruption to such extent alone. Most of his aides are police personnel."

The official said, "Some police officers even co-own some of Benazir's properties, like the Bhawal Resort in Gazipur."

These individuals reaped benefits when Benazir was the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, director general of Rab, and the IGP.

The ACC investigation team found that Benazir bought many pieces of land at prices much lower than the market value.

A list of sub-registrars who helped Benazir is being prepared, sources said.

ACC Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah told The Daily Star yesterday, "Our investigation team is completely independent.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Withdraw provision to legalise black money: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today expressed shock and disappointment over the “unethical provision” in the newly announced budget that allows the laundering of black money disguised as undisclosed income

www.thedailystar.net

Withdraw provision to legalise black money: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today expressed shock and disappointment over the "unethical provision" in the newly announced budget that allows the laundering of black money disguised as undisclosed income.

TIB fears that the facility to legalise black money with just a 15 percent tax will discourage honest and legitimate taxpayers, as no authority will question the money and assets declared under this provision, according to a press release of the organisation.

"This will foster a liberal environment conducive to corruption in the country," it said.

Furthermore, this opportunity undermines the ruling party's election manifesto and its frequently reiterated pledge of zero tolerance against corruption.

"In light of these concerns, TIB is strongly demanding that the government withdraw this provision allowing the laundering of black money," it added.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman expressed frustration over the logic behind keeping the provision to whiten black money.

He also expressed disappointment at how the Data Verification System (DVS) has resulted in legal complexities regarding the declaration of undisclosed money, leading to the legitimization of property purchases using such funds, primarily due to taxpayers' lack of awareness.

"Even more troubling is that no authority will have the opportunity to question these transactions," he said.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Whitening Black Money: ‘Unethical, unjust and unacceptable’

Backtracking on its promise to eliminate black money, the government has once again made room to allow both individuals and companies to whiten money without facing scrutiny and by paying a 15 percent tax, a move that drew sharp criticism from economists and civil society.

www.thedailystar.net

Whitening Black Money: 'Unethical, unjust and unacceptable'
Economists blast the provision

Backtracking on its promise to eliminate black money, the government has once again made room to allow both individuals and companies to whiten money without facing scrutiny and by paying a 15 percent tax, a move that drew sharp criticism from economists and civil society.

The government hopes the initiative will increase the flow of money into the economy despite such measures failing to yield any fruitful benefits in the past.

According to the new provision, no authority can raise any question if a taxpayer pays tax at fixed rates for immovable properties such as flats and land and 15 percent tax on other assets, including cash, irrespective of the existing laws of the country.

The scope to whiten black money will remain in place till June 2025.

Before the last national election, the Awami League's election manifesto promised strong measures against those hoarding undisclosed money as well as those engaged in corruption.

But economists and corruption watchdogs said that successive governments allowing the whitening of black money was akin to "licencing corruption".

"This scope shouldn't be allowed at all," said Prof Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, a think tank. "It's unacceptable, ethically and financially."

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Tax measures to take toll on honest, relieve errant

Finance minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday announced a series of measures, including reintroducing scope for legalising undisclosed money by paying tax at a...

www.newagebd.net

Tax measures to take toll on honest, relieve errant
Shakawat Hossain 07 June, 2024, 00:23

Finance minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday announced a series of measures, including reintroducing scope for legalising undisclosed money by paying tax at a flat 15 per cent rate in the new national budget worth Tk 7.97 lakh crore.

Besides, the finance minister declared an expansion of Value Added Tax and cut income tax rebates to augment higher revenues and keep the budget deficit within a tolerable level as per the dictation of the International Monetary Fund under the $4.7 billion loan programme.

It was the first budget of the 82-year-old diplomat-turned-finance minister, who was under pressure to bring back macroeconomic stability amid a shortage of dollars and high inflation.

However, his measure to withdraw tax waivers from industries like air coolers and refrigerators and the imposition of a higher tax on juices and ice cream, electric bulbs, etc will force manufacturers to pass on the extra cost to consumers already reeling from decade-high inflation.

His expansionary tax measures will increase the living costs of the majority of people, while the affluent section will remain almost unharmed with an unchanged wealth surcharge.

The finance minister identified inflation as the main challenge for FY25.

His announcement of the expansion of the social safety net programme by increasing the number of beneficiaries and the continuation of subsidised food distribution has been welcomed by the economists, as they will continue assisting vulnerable groups amid prolonged economic distress.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​