Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Monday acknowledged that the level of extortion in the country has not significantly changed compared to the previous Awami League regime. “Corruption itself is an economy,” he said while briefing reporters at the NEC conference room on the outcome of the Ecnec meeting. In this regard, the Adviser mentioned that if there is a large number of archways being built or a huge number of people being transported by bus, it also creates a flow of money. “Money also circulates in the politics of patronage and tender politics. Those activities have, I do not know, surely been reduced.” Govt prioritising quality over quantity in development spending: Planning Adviser He said that the wastage associated with evil politics temporarily created a flow of money in the current economy. “But that does not mean that these practices need to be reintroduced again.” The Planning Adviser said that economic activities in rural areas need to be further reactivated if employment generation is to be ensured. “Generally, there is a scarcity of employment (in the country),” he added.