Staff Correspondent
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly criticised the interim government’s decision to retain the provision for whitening black money in the proposed FY 2025–26 budget, calling it unconstitutional, unethical and a blow to anti-corruption efforts.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said this move violates Article 20(2) of the Constitution and benefits illicit income holders at the expense of honest taxpayers.
“This decision encourages accumulation of illegal wealth with the assurance of legalisation at year-end. It also deepens inequality and undermines public trust,” he added.
TIB warned that favouring the real estate sector—widely known for corruption—sends a damaging signal and contradicts state reform goals. The organisation also pointed out that the policy contradicts recommendations from the ACC Reform Commission, which called for a permanent end to black money amnesty.
The group further criticised the lack of detail in the budget speech regarding the recovery of laundered money and the vague plan to tax former citizens who moved illicit wealth abroad. It also raised concerns over the proposed separation of tax policy from administration, citing a lack of transparency and accountability measures.
TIB urged the government to immediately scrap the amnesty provision, investigate sources of black money, and restore integrity to the tax system.
