THE proposal for the construction of two luxurious three-storey buildings for the cabinet secretary and the principal secretary to the prime minister in Dhaka at a cost of about Tk 43 crore comes as a shock. It is shocking given the current economic crisis, which includes a declining foreign exchange reserve, a bleeding banking sector, an abnormal energy crisis, an increasing number of poor and a threat of famine. In the past few weeks, the prime minister has spoken of an impending famine or famine-like situation and asked all to be frugal and all government agencies to drop less important projects. In such a situation, the housing and public works ministry is reported to have sent the proposal to the Planning Commission. Keeping to the proposal, each of the buildings will have 18,513 square feet, with a construction cost of about Tk 21.5 crore. Each of the houses will also feature two swimming pools at an estimated cost of Tk 5.10 crore while about Tk 2.25 crore will be spent on interior decoration and more than Tk 1.50 crore will be spent on furniture. The buildings will also have all modern facilities.

The two of the topmost bureaucrats should get quality housing facilities. But such luxurious houses at such a staggering cost appear absurd and have rightly drawn criticism. Some suggest that Tk 43 crore is an insignificant amount and that the proposal would not even be sent to the National Economic Council as any project, with a cost below Tk 50 crore, can be approved by the planning ministry. It is, however, an example of the injudicious spending of public money. Economists also criticise the government’s failure to stop injudicious spending of public money in other sectors too, which continues to bleed the economy, further burdening people at large. The allocation for operating and other expenditures has already been almost 64 per cent of the current budget while the rest is allocated for the annual development programme. In an economic downturn, it is expected of the government to cut down on unnecessary projects and look for ways to cut operating and other expenses while focusing heavily on programmes that help the poor, low- and fixed-income people. But, with the exception of a few rhetorical statements, nothing of the sort appears to have seriously been considered by the government.

More than three-fifths of the budget is spent on public officials and a large portion of the development budget is also wasted or misappropriated because of corruption and inefficiency. With a severe economic crisis looming large, the government must practise frugality and prudence before it advises people not to waste anything and be on the alert. The government must realise that public service is not a place for indulgence in luxury but for selfless service to the public.