The New Nation - Internet Edition

Hasanuzzaman Khan

The century-old LR (Local resources) fund having legacy from the British era has undergone scrutiny from Duduk and other government agencies mainly because of taking donations from the business communities.

The fund established at the district level during the colonial rule remains under the arbitrary control of the deputy commissioners. It was mainly set up in districts to meet any unforeseen expenditure ranging from a marriage of a destitute woman to arranging hospitality for political office holders and visiting officials who were on tour in districts for official purpose.

The original intention behind creation of the fund was lofty?to help distressed people, to salvage handicapped schools and colleges and to help calamity? stricken people. Despite flaws and irregularities the positive aspects have so far kept the fund alive. But degeneration has entered into it due to lack of transparency and accountablity. The fund hitherto remains unaudited and irregularities seem to be galore here while spending and transactions are made.

According to experts, non-transparent unaccountable fund operated arbitrarily is sure to plunge in irregularity. In view of such apprehension the LR fund remained suspended for a period during military rule of Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad. But the fund was revived when political government was restored in 1991. But no improvement of the fund raising process and fund management were made to take advantage of whimsically using the fund by the political party in power. Such use of the fund for political purpose has given rise to questions in the minds of informed circles as the political activists of the ruling party appear to be the main beneficiaries of the fund.

The enlisted businessmen at the district level are said to be the regular donors to this fund. The diversion of bulk of this fund for political purpose against the backdrop of coming polls has created stir in the administration of the country. According to informed sources, India has no provision like this. So they did not find any justification to practise it in Bangladesh, especially when the country is under a caretaker government. They argue that all VIPs and VVIPS get official allowances while visiting districts. They are supposed to pay Circuit House bills from their own fund instead of resorting to LR fund raised by the local administration for the welfare of the vulnerable people and institutional salvation.

Tolls are taken for LR fund from different sources. Businessmen at the district level had to contribute to LR fund while taking licence for firearms and during their renewal, for having permission to hold dramas and operas, issuing of passport and its renewal, leasing khas land, water bodies, haats and bazaars and auction sale. The donation of each individual ranges from Tk.200 to 50,000. Anybody refusing to contribute to LR fund are denied any government cooperation.

The Deputy Commissioners said, they are only entitled to Tk 200 as entertainment allowance a month. But they are to hold at least 35 social functions a month in the district in addition to entertaining VIPs and VVIPS.

Kamal Siddiqui, a former bureaucrat, said entertaining the high officials during field level inspection has become a regular phenomenon in our country. The subordinate official has to bear the expenses from his own pocket. The visiting officials should be given enough money to bear their expenses for inspection tour. There is only one instance in this respect, former President Shahabuddin Ahmed paid the bill of Feni Circuit House when he visited the district.

TIB Chairman Muzaffar Ahmed said, there should be transparency and accountability in spending public money. It should be audited as well.

Akbar Ali Khan, a public administration expert, said, the political government in the past did not take any initiative to proscribe this fund, or keep it loophole-free.

Meanwhile, Duduk has sent a letter to the cabinet secretary to evaluate the local resource fund position and bring it under transparency. They said, many irregularities have crept into the fund transaction as the fund remains unaudited for indefinite period. The cabinet secretary, following Duduk instruction, has to submit a report on LR fund position to the council of advisers.

The Duduk also suggested formation of an alternative fund to meet exigencies keeping provision of transparency.