Govt discloses wealth statements of advisers

The interim government on Tuesday published the wealth statements of all the advisers, including Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, officials with equivalent ranks, and their spouses.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification signed by Cabinet Secretary D. Sheikh Abdur Rashid this regard.

The notification discloses the wealth of the concerned officials and their spouses for the period between 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025, in accordance with the notification issued 1 October 2024.

In August 2024, almost two weeks after taking office, Prof Yunus delivered a speech to the nation, where he pledged to disclose the wealth details of all the members of his advisory council at the earliest possible time in a bid eradicate corruption.

Gradually all other government officials will be made to disclose their wealth information on a regular basis, the Nobel Laureate had said in the speech.

In a national address delivered two weeks after assuming office in August 2024, chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus pledged that his government would disclose the asset statements of all advisers at the earliest possible time.

Various quarters welcomed the chief adviser’s announcement as a positive step. However, nearly a year and a half has passed without any visible implementation of that commitment.

Senior economists and leaders of anti-corruption organisations say the government had an opportunity to set a positive precedent, but unfortunately the public has not seen any benefit from it, which they describe as disappointing.

Following the fall of the Awami League government amid the student–public uprising on 5 August 2024, the Interim Government was formed on 8 August under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The authorities later appointed additional advisers in several phases. After additions and changes, the advisory council now comprises 21 members, including the chief adviser.

In addition, four individuals serve with the rank of adviser as special assistants, special envoys and the national security adviser.

Four special assistants to the chief adviser hold the rank of state minister, and the executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority is also in office.

In another national address on 25 August 2024, the chief adviser reiterated his firm stance against corruption and stated that all advisers would disclose their asset statements at the earliest opportunity.

He also said that the government would gradually make such disclosure regular and mandatory for all public officials.

In the same address, he announced that the government would promulgate an ordinance to appoint an Ombudsman, as pledged under Article 77 of the Constitution, to take action against corruption at the state level.

On 1 October that year, the government issued the ‘Policy on disclosure of income and asset statements of advisers of the interim government and persons of equivalent rank - 2024”.

The policy states that advisers of the Interim Government and persons of equivalent rank engaged in government or republic service must submit their income and asset statements to the chief adviser through the Cabinet Division within 15 working days after the final date for submission of annual income tax returns.

If a spouse has a separate source of income, the declaration must include that information as well. The policy authorises the chief adviser to publish these statements in an appropriate manner at his discretion.