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CORRUPTION IN BANGLADESH :

CASE STUDY ON “PROCUREMENT” OF 100,000MT WHEAT

“Corruption Circle” 

Of all the challenges that Bangladesh faces today, that of rooting out corruption is considered and widely acknowledged to be one of the most pressing. 

Whilst the central focus is that of poverty eradication through sustained and accelerated economic growth, there is a clear public need and demand that corruption, which many would argue continues to assume an institutional form in Bangladesh, has to be confronted, combated and tackled on a war footing. 

There also appears to be a consensus across the political spectrum on the need to establish an Independent Anti-Corruption Commission. 

As BNP-Jamaat Government completes its first year in office, there is increasing concern on its ability to govern – nexus between crime and politics is being strengthened almost every day, security of common man is not ensured, violation of human rights, extra-judicial killings and repression and torture of political opponents is the norm rather than the exception and last but not least, corruption at all levels is rampant and is being patronised and practiced by the highest levels in Government. 

Withdrawal of Grant given to the Ministry of Shipping amounting to US$ 45 million by the Danish Government on grounds of corruption in April 2002 was the first major corruption scandal to rock Bangladesh and since then a number of other cases such as import of Kerosene in name of Aviation Fuel, text book scandal, involvement of a member of Cabinet in a gold smuggling case have hit the headlines. 

The “Wheatgate Scam” as aptly titled by the independent English National Daily, “The Daily Star” involving “procurement” at a time when there was no production of wheat anywhere in the country at a cost of Taka one billion of 100,000 MT, supposedly from local farmers as part of Government’s support and subsidy to the poor farmers of the country, is the latest scandal that has shocked and saddened the people of Bangladesh.  

Not only (i) have the farmers been deprived of this State support, (ii) the Prime Minister and  members of her Cabinet have enriched and benefited themselves to tune of at least Taka 300 million, (iii) in the process poultry feed grade wheat was imported from India and “supplied” to the silos / godowns as  locally produced wheat creating a major health hazard. This “wheat”, unfit for human consumption, has already been distributed in various regions causing outbreak of diarrhoea and.

Although the Government, after the media outburst and sustained coverage on this outrageous scandal, formed a couple of Committees, neither of the reports have been made public. Although the media have reported that the Reports point to political patronage of this corruption involving the ruling BNP-Jamaat coalition, action has only been taken against two officials of the Ministry of Food.

In context of the above, Awami League, Bangladesh’s single largest political party and strongly committed to process of Parliamentary Democracy, regarded it to be its moral duty and obligation to people of Bangladesh to conduct its own inquiry and investigation on the matter. Accordingly three teams involving Members of Parliament were formed. A translated version of the report of the MPs is attached herewith. 

Based on the findings of the report, the attached five sheets of graphics have been put together. One of the sheets is a “Corruption Circle” that illustrates graphically the scam and presents it in terms of a flow chart from planning to implementation. 

The other four sheets depict regions from which the additional 100,000 MT of wheat was targeted for procurement during the off-season and  graphically illustrate and pin point three specific reasons as to why only six districts were specifically targeted for procurement, despite the fact that these are the lowest wheat producing areas, and in the case of Sathkhira, a non wheat producing area ! 

The purpose of this exercise is to try and understand and fathom the anatomy of corruption in Bangladesh today with reference to a specific case study and whilst punishment of those responsible for planning this scam and aiding and abetting in its implementation must be ensured, this presentation will generate debate and discussion on how such misappropriation of Government funds through adoption of corrupt practices can be prevented in future. 

In addition, the above will also hopefully focus on the fundamental issue of what institutional mechanisms Bangladesh needs to develop in investigating and bringing to book highest levels of Government and political leadership.

September 23, 2002