DHAKA: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Thursday expressed concern over some ministers' intervention in the ongoing recruitment process at the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Six ministers, two state ministers, chairman of a parliamentary committee and one central leader of the ruling party create pressure on officials to recruit certain candidate at the CAG, it said.

The shocking data was revealed in a report titled “Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh: Governance Challenges and Way Forward” published by non-government organization Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at its office in city’s Dhanmodi area around 11:30am on Thursday.

The report also said rampant corruption and political interference have become pervasive at the office of CAG, government’s one of the important helms.

According to the report, 11 points inside the CAG have been witnessing relatively more corruption as well as recruitments are being made based on the lobbies of lawmakers and ministers.

TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman as chief guest was present at the report launching program, presided over by its chairperson Sultana Kamal.

In response to a question, he further said putting pressure on the authorities of CAG politically is a common phenomenon.

“Recently, some six ministers had put pressure on the CAG authorities for appointing their chosen candidates in one position,” he added.

He clarified the “pressure” saying, there were written recommendations by ministers, state ministers and lawmakers on the application papers. “They also called over telephones,” he added.

Iftekharuzzaman, however, did not disclose the names of ministers, state ministers, lawmaker and the candidates following the principles of TIB.

The organization also published a list of different types of irregularities and corruptions at the CAG office.

Some Tk 4 to 5 lakhs bribe money need to pay there to get a task done, according to TIB.

The report mentioned that anomalies and corruptions are also being practiced in different audits, appointments, promotions and transfers.

TIB also identified many other limitations at the CAG office including political and ministerial interferences and problems related to grading, accountability and monitoring, office establishment, shortage of logistics supports and lack of training.

Bangladesh chapter of this Germany-based organization came up with a list of 20 recommendations, including power to work independently, to overcome the existing problems at the CAG office.

The paper was presented by the program manager of Research and Policy Division of TIB Dipu Roy.

TIB deputy-executive director Professor Dr Sumaiya Khair and director of Research and Policy Division M Rafiqul Hasan were, among others, present in the press meet.

BDST: 1543 HRS, JAN 29, 2015