Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Thursday expressed deep dismay and strong resentment at media reports that the government is actively considering the inclusion of a provision to legalise black money in the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027.
Describing such provision as unconstitutional, corruption-conducive, and discriminatory, the organisation said it is tantamount to granting state-sponsored legal protection and impunity to corruption.
Extending such a corruption-facilitating opportunity under the pretexts of revitalising the stagnant housing sector, boosting industrial investment, and accelerating economic growth is self-defeating for the government, said a TIB release.
TIB also called upon the government to follow clearly defined criteria in its move as the government may plans to repatriate laundered assets through the announcement of a “general amnesty.”
“Since independence, nearly every government, through one mechanism or another, has perpetuated this provision for legalising ‘undisclosed income,’ which is clear violation of Article 20(2) of the Constitution,” said TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman in a statement.
He said this practice assumed a new dimension during the previous authoritarian regime, when it was institutionalised in an overtly corruption-inducing manner.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said although the interim government formed following the July uprising had abolished the provision for legalising black money, the present government’s attempt to reinstate it.
The TIB Executive Director said the government must genuinely set the long-term welfare and aspirations of the people above the interests of opportunistic groups.
Referring to Clause 67 of the National July Charter 2025, under which BNP and all other political parties and alliances have unanimously pledged full implementation of the constitutional obligation to eliminate opportunities for individuals to enjoy unearned income, he said, “BNP has pledged in its electoral manifesto that it will ‘make no compromise with corruption’ including through the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Reformation. Yet media reports indicate that, under the influence of the housing sector lobby, the forthcoming budget is set to include a provision for legalizing black money through ‘complete immunity’ and entirely avoiding any inquiry by the ACC, the National Board of Revenue, or any other state authority.”
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said recommendation 3 of the ACC Reform Commission report explicitly calls for the permanent abolition of the facility to legalide black money, a position to which BNP and all other political parties have equally agreed upon.
In the past repeated chances to legalise black money did not lead to a big increase in tax revenue, rather the public has been led to believe that the government is supporting, allowing, and not punishing wrongdoing and corruption, he noted.