AL govt weakened bureaucracy to facilitate plunder: Debapriya

The Awami League government, which held power for 15 years, systematically weakened the professionalism of the bureaucracy to exploit opportunities for embezzlement in development projects, said Debapriya Bhattacharya, head of the National White Paper Committee.

Bureaucrats were divided into factions and strategically placed to limit their ability to collaborate effectively, he said during a meeting with various ministry secretaries and senior officials today (3 November).

"This politicisation of civil servants has left them powerless, forcing many to accept unfavourable situations, as shared by the officials themselves," he added.

He said many public officials have reported that they felt politically hostage, with some daring to stand up against injustices and achieving success, while others faced professional setbacks as a consequence.

"Their professional association also fell prey to politicisation, with leaders aligning themselves with opportunistic politics, leaving no room for protection," Debapriya added.

He said the entire development process was under the captivity of the administration during the previous government.

"Political influence and a lack of accountability facilitated corruption and misuse of project funds. Weak feasibility studies, along with the involvement of certain unethical officials, politicians, and business figures, compromised the integrity of the development process," Debapriya said.

This nexus among bureaucrats, businessmen, and politicians significantly contributed to the escalation of project costs and timeliness. 

Debapriya stressed the importance of capable, independent, and qualified professionals in development administration, asserting that their role is crucial not only at the central level but also for local governance. 

He said bureaucrats have called for the opportunity to work independently and requested protections to prevent any abuses while fulfilling their professional responsibilities.

Debapriya, also a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), stated that the absence of accountability within the country has prevented people from voting effectively.

Debapriya went on to say, "Prior to launching a development project, land was often bought and resold at inflated prices, sometimes yielding threefold returns, effectively diverting government funds. In other cases, projects were approved in locations unsuitable for development simply to exploit land value."

He also noted that the e-tendering process for equipment procurement had been manipulated, and irregularities were common in contractor selection. 

"Many projects were declared completed despite remaining unfinished, undermining their potential economic benefits," he added.

During the meeting, 85 senior officials, including 32 secretaries and senior secretaries, were present.

Also present, Selim Raihan, another member of the white paper committee, said the bureaucracy cannot be liberated without rectifying the political landscape, stressing the importance of democratic practices. 

"If the bureaucracy can free itself from political influence, it will be able to showcase its professionalism," he added.

Mostafizur Rahman, another member of the White Paper committee and a distinguished fellow at CPD, noted that despite a lack of domestic demand, some individuals have drawn development partners to undertake projects. 

"These issues will be addressed in the White Paper, which will also comment on single-source projects sourced from India or China," he added.