Political influence drove past project approvals Says Debapriya
Staff Reporter :
In a notable discussion on past development practices, Debapriya Bhattacharya, head of the White Paper Preparation Committee appointed by the interim government, revealed that political influence significantly dictated project approvals under the previous administration.
Speaking yesterday at a meeting at the NEC building of the Bangladesh Planning Commission, Bhattacharya noted that almost all projects were approved based on political considerations rather than practical needs or feasibility.
“Political influence and a lack of accountability enabled corruption and the misuse of project funds,” Bhattacharya stated.
He added that weak feasibility studies, combined with the involvement of certain officials, politicians, and business figures, compromised the integrity of the development process.
The meeting, attended by senior government officials and ministry secretaries, marked an “unprecedented” moment of open discussion.
Officials reviewed various projects with private sector experts, an engagement that Bhattacharya sees as a potential shift in the bureaucratic approach to development.
Officials noted that the bureaucratic system had been highly politicised, with legal protocols often disregarded.
This environment, they said, weakened the bureaucracy’s role in making unbiased decisions and upholding accountability.
Some officials who attempted to resist this politicisation reportedly faced career obstacles, with a few experiencing harassment.
Bhattacharya remarked that the meeting revealed underlying administrative control that hindered development under the previous government.
Several attendees shared the professional repercussions they faced in striving to maintain integrity, highlighting the extent of political influence on their work.
When the White Paper Committee questioned the lack of support from professional bureaucratic associations, officials explained that these bodies had also become politicised, with leaders often aligning with opportunistic political agendas.
This alignment, they argued, limited collective efforts to protect bureaucratic integrity.
The Committee also raised concerns about alleged fund misappropriations in key projects, questioning the role of administration in overseeing these initiatives.
Officials disclosed that political interference influenced both planning and execution phases of many projects, resulting in delays, inflated costs, and flawed sustainability assessments.
Bhattacharya described a “triangular link” between bureaucrats, politicians, and business leaders, which he said facilitated corruption. Sunday’s discussions included several prominent projects, including the Hi-Tech Park, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, the energy sector, social protection programmes, revenue collection, and the role of Bangladesh Bank.
Issues related to state-owned banks and government-appointed directors were also reviewed.
Officials emphasised a vision for a future bureaucratic framework that prioritises professional expertise and impartiality.
They advocated for greater autonomy to strengthen accountability and support Bangladesh’s long-term development goals.
The meeting concluded with a focus on three critical areas for future improvement: capacity, intent, and coordination.
Bhattacharya noted the dedication among officials, highlighting a “sense of honesty” as they discussed ways to address these key development challenges facing the country.