TIB questions U-turn on vehicle allowance 

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has questioned the government's reported decision to retain the Tk 50,000 monthly vehicle maintenance allowance for a section of senior government officials, saying it runs contrary to the prime minister's earlier directive to reduce the benefit.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the anti-corruption watchdog said the reported decision to retain the allowance had raised questions about whether pressure from a "powerful force" had influenced the government's change of position.

TIB said the prime minister's earlier decision to cut the monthly vehicle maintenance allowance from Tk 50,000 to Tk 25,000 and abolish the interest-free car loan facility was a positive step towards reducing inequality and ensuring prudent use of public funds.

Reported move contradicts PM's cost-cutting directive, it says

The organisation also criticised the existing policy of providing special vehicle benefits to only around 2,400 officials, arguing that many officers of the same rank in other government services are excluded from the facility. Such disparities, it said, create dissatisfaction, encourage unhealthy competition for certain posts and undermine the morale of those left out.

TIB further said the prime minister's decision to use her own vehicle and bear its fuel expenses should have inspired other senior officials to follow the same principle of financial discipline.

The organisation also reiterated its call for mandatory public disclosure of asset statements by government officials alongside the recent salary increase, saying higher pay alone would not improve public service unless accompanied by greater transparency and accountability.