[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch

[Saif]

One in three citizens had to pay bribes while receiving public services: BBS survey

Nearly 32 per cent of citizens who received public services in the past year have been victims of bribery and corruption, according to the Citizen Perception Survey (CPS) released today by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The findings revealed that, on average, one out of every three peo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

One in three citizens had to pay bribes while receiving public services: BBS survey

FE Online Desk
Published :
Jun 19, 2025 19:43
Updated :
Jun 19, 2025 19:43

Nearly 32 per cent of citizens who received public services in the past year have been victims of bribery and corruption, according to the Citizen Perception Survey (CPS) released today by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The findings revealed that, on average, one out of every three people had to pay bribes to access public services.

BBS disclosed the survey results at a press conference held at its headquarters in Agargaon on Thursday.

A total of 84,807 men and women participated in the survey conducted in February this year.

The highest incidence of bribery and corruption occurs at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) offices, as per the survey.

It showed that 63.29 per cent of citizens seeking services from BRTA in the past year had to pay bribes.

This was followed by law enforcement agencies at 62.94 per cent, passport offices at 57.45 per cent, and land registration offices at 54.92 per cent.

The survey also highlighted public perceptions of political expression. Only 27.24 per cent of respondents said they feel free to express opinions on government activities within the country’s political system.

Additionally, 19.31 per cent of citizens reported experiencing some form of discrimination or harassment over the past year, with women being more affected than men, according to the survey findings.​

 

[Saif]

Deposits under Bangladesh’s name in Swiss banks see over 33 fold surge

The amount of money deposited under Bangladesh’s name in Swiss banks has surged more than 33 times compared to the previous year, according to the latest report from the Swiss National Bank (SNB) released on Thursday. As per SNB data for 2024, deposits linked to Bangladesh have reached 589.5

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Deposits under Bangladesh’s name in Swiss banks see over 33 fold surge

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Jun 19, 2025 22:57
Updated :
Jun 19, 2025 22:57

The amount of money deposited under Bangladesh’s name in Swiss banks has surged more than 33 times compared to the previous year, according to the latest report from the Swiss National Bank (SNB) released on Thursday.

As per SNB data for 2024, deposits linked to Bangladesh have reached 589.54 billion Swiss francs, equivalent to approximately Tk 897.2 billion (considering 1 franc = Tk 150). In comparison, the amount was only 17.71 billion francs at the end of 2023.

These deposits include claims by Bangladeshi banks, depositors’ funds, and investments in capital markets. Over 95% of the deposits belong to Bangladeshi banks and are reportedly related to trade financing, according to Bangladesh Bank officials.

However, concerns remain that some of these funds may originate from money laundering. Swiss authorities have stated they will cooperate if credible evidence is provided.​

 

[Saif]

The pernicious practice of whitening black money

However strange it may sound, the practice of whitening black money has long been accepted -- albeit controversially -- by successive governments, including the current interim administration, as a source of substantial tax revenue. Despite repeated and strong opposition from economists, think-tank

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

The pernicious practice of whitening black money

Published :
Jun 20, 2025 01:30
Updated :
Jun 20, 2025 01:30

However strange it may sound, the practice of whitening black money has long been accepted -- albeit controversially -- by successive governments, including the current interim administration, as a source of substantial tax revenue. Despite repeated and strong opposition from economists, think-tanks, and budget analysts every year following the national budget announcement, the trend continues unabated. There is no disputing the fact that legitimising undisclosed income grants impunity to financial wrongdoers, undermines public trust, and promotes a culture of non-compliance. Yet no government has had the political will or resolve to end the practice. The current interim government, which had initially declared it would not allow black money or undeclared income to be legalised through investments or by paying a premium tax, appears to have walked back on that promise. In the Tk 7.9 trillion budget proposed by Finance Advisor Dr. Saleuddin Ahmed, the provision to whiten black money through investment in the real estate sector remains intact, though with a significantly higher tax penalty.

The Finance Ordinance promulgated on June 2, 2025 to ratify the budget retains the provision allowing undisclosed income to be whitened through purchase of land, apartments, and construction of residential buildings. While the tax rate has been increased up to fivefold and other government agencies (apart from tax officials) can question the source of income, the incentive remains compelling for people with illicit money looking for easy amnesty. Though there are reports that the government's advisory council may review the provision at its June 22 meeting, expectations of a reversal remain slim.

The reason is not difficult to fathom. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) earns considerable revenue through this route, and with minimal effort. According to a report, in FY 2021 alone, 11,839 individuals whitened around Tk 205 billion -- the highest ever in a single year. Of this, Tk 168.3 billion in cash was legalised (whitened) by 7,055 individuals. The remaining amount was channelled into land, flats, or stocks. The NBR received Tk 20.64 billion in revenue from these disclosures. Some may argue that bringing black money into the formal economy supports economic activity. But at what cost? This policy not only legitimises ill-gotten wealth -- often amassed through corruption, tax evasion, or illegal trade -- but also demoralises honest taxpayers who comply with the law. It sends a troubling message: wrongdoing pays, and compliance is optional.

It is, therefore, neither a sustainable nor ethical proposition to justify such measures in the name of revenue generation. The government must not treat earnings from unethical sources as a quick fix for revenue shortfalls or as compensation for the inefficiencies of the NBR. No conscious citizen will endorse the idea as it largely ignores the inherent illegality of holding black money through immoral and illegitimate means. What is urgently needed is a comprehensive overhaul of the revenue collection system. Reforms should focus on automation, restructuring, capacity building, and robust regulatory enforcement. Only through systemic changes can the country hope to boost domestic revenue sustainably -- without compromising integrity or fairness.​

 

[Saif]

BRTA rated most corrupt amid graft galore in public offices

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is rated most corrupt among government offices as 63.29 per cent of service-seekers were forced to buy its service, principally related to vehicle licensing and route permitting. Latest official findings on overall socio-political spectrum, releas

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BBS survey portrays sociopolitical spectrum, some 'disturbing' factors
BRTA rated most corrupt amid graft galore in public offices
Nearly one-third population forced to bribe to take service

FE REPORT
Published :
Jun 20, 2025 00:55
Updated :
Jun 20, 2025 00:55

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is rated most corrupt among government offices as 63.29 per cent of service-seekers were forced to buy its service, principally related to vehicle licensing and route permitting.

Latest official findings on overall socio-political spectrum, released Thursday, also unveil the grading of other public offices where there has been graft galore over the years.

Nearly one-third of the country's population is forced to grease the palm of civil servants to take public services, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) survey reveals.

Among the venal offices, as reported by the government agency, the law-enforcement agencies came out as the second-biggest bribe-and corruption-prone public agency with a 61.94-percent rating. In lockstep follow passport offices with 57.45 per cent, land-registry offices with 54.92 per cent, judges or magistrates, prosecutors, and others scoring 53.77 per cent, and land record/acquisition/settlement office with 51.40 per cent.

The preliminary findings of the Citizen Perception Survey (CPS) of the BBS, conducted on February 6-23, show that 31.67 per cent of the Bangladeshis have been compelled to pay bribe to a public official to receive a government service over the last one year.

Men were more likely to experience corruption (38.62 per cent) compared to women (22.71 per cent) for getting the services.

Meanwhile, the women were found most vulnerable section of society as their percentage regarding facing discrimination and harassment is higher than their male counterpart.

A total of 19.62-percent women faced discrimination and harassment while that of men was 18.97 per cent, the BBS shows.

Among the characters of women harassment and discrimination, 48.44-percent women are being affected from their family, while 31.30 per cent at transportation/open spaces, 25.97 per cent in the workplaces.

"Despite governance challenges, 84.81 per cent of citizens said they felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhoods after dark," the BBS report says about overall ambiance prevailing in the country that navigates political upheavals.

However, the perception of safety was lower among women (80.67 per cent) compared to men (89.53 per cent). Among urban residents, 83.75 per cent reported slightly lower safety levels than rural residents measuring 85.30 per cent.

Inside their own homes after sundown, 92.54 per cent of citizens felt safe, with 91.82 per cent of women and 93.35 per cent of men having expressed this confidence.

According to the perception survey on the political participation and civic freedoms, some 27.24 per cent of respondents believed they could express opinions about government actions.

The survey shows some 31.86 per cent of men felt free to express views compared to 23.02 per cent of women on the political issues.

Just 21.99 per cent of citizens believed they could influence political decision-making, with male confidence 26.55-percent higher than that of females at 17.81 per cent.

In respect of healthcare, 47.12 per cent of respondents had accessed public-health services at least once in the past year. Among them, 82.72 per cent found services easy accessible, and 89.34 per cent considered the costs affordable.

However, satisfaction levels were moderate, with 65.07 per cent of service-seekers satisfied with the quality of service, while 63.13 per cent with staff behaviour and 63.19 per cent with the time doctors and healthcare workers spent with patients.

The BBS survey on access to education shows 40.93 per cent of citizens reported having at least one child enrolled in public primary or secondary schools. Of these, 96.46 per cent said primary schools were within 30 minutes of home, and 92.66 per cent found education expenses manageable.

For secondary schools, 82.20 per cent reported accessibility, 80.86 per cent said costs were affordable. Citizens rated the quality of education as satisfactory, with 67.93 per cent expressing satisfaction at the primary level and 71.86 per cent at the secondary level.

For other government services, such as ID issuance or civil registration, 78.12 per cent said services were available, and 86.28 per cent found the costs affordable.

However, satisfaction with the efficiency of service delivery was lower, with 62.60 per cent being satisfied with service processes, 56.26 per cent with equal treatment, and only 51.28 per cent with timely service delivery.

The survey has also highlighted issues related to justice and dispute resolution. In the past two years, 16.16 per cent of citizens experienced some form of conflict or dispute. Among them, 83.60 per cent accessed either formal or informal justice mechanisms.

Of those, 41.34 per cent used formal systems such as courts or law enforcement, while 68.96 per cent relied on informal channels such as community leaders or local lawyers.

The government statistical agency conducted the Citizen Perception Survey 2025 across all 64 districts of Bangladesh, covering 84,807 individuals from 45,888 households through 1,920 primary sampling units.

As the chief guest at the survey report-launching ceremony, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud focused a troubling trend in Bangladesh's public-service landscape: wealthier citizens are more likely to engage in bribery to gain faster or higher-quality services, effectively turning essential public services into a transactional marketplace.

Dr Mahmud said: "Bribery is not just a burden for the poor-it's also a tool used by the well-off to buy priority. Those with money are paying bribes not out of desperation, but to speed up or improve their service experience."

The planning boss of the post-uprising government finds it as a disturbing indicator of inequality within the system. "Public services are meant to be universal and equitable, but wealthier individuals are effectively creating a parallel service stream through corruption."​