Bangladesh orders ministry-level panels to curb corruption in public offices

Bangladesh’s government has decided to establish anti-corruption committees in every ministry following its first secretaries’ meeting, according to officials familiar with the session.

The proposal was presented by the secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and endorsed by cabinet secretary Nasimul Ghani. Officials said ministries and divisions will receive instructions after the ACC formally writes to the Cabinet Division.

The nearly two-hour meeting at the Secretariat was attended by 61 secretaries.

Officials were also directed to speed up recruitment for vacant government posts while ensuring the process remains transparent. The Ministry of Public Administration says 468,220 positions are vacant out of about 2 million sanctioned posts.

Secretaries were instructed to follow procurement rules transparently and submit procurement documents to the Cabinet Division in advance. Officials also discussed holding secretaries’ meetings every two months.