Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly criticised Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Mir Shahe Alam for his recent remark that accepting “gifts” from contractors after timely bill payments does not constitute bribery. The anti-corruption organisation demanded withdrawal of the statement and accountability of those involved. Following the backlash, the deputy minister apologised before the media on Wednesday morning, and the ministry issued an official clarification.

The Controversial Remark

During the inauguration of a training programme for newly appointed assistant engineers of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) on Monday, Deputy Minister Mir Shahe Alam said that if a contractor voluntarily offers a share of profit to an engineer after receiving timely payment for quality work, it should not be considered a bribe and may be accepted. The remark quickly drew widespread criticism across media and civil society.

TIB’s Response

Reacting to the statement, TIB warned that allowing government officials to accept benefits from contractors would encourage bribery and undermine good governance. The organisation described the remark as a negative signal in the fight against corruption and demanded its immediate withdrawal. “Such comments are contrary to the rule of law and transparency,” a TIB spokesperson said.

Apology and Clarification

On Wednesday morning, Deputy Minister Mir Shahe Alam expressed regret over his earlier statement. “If my remark has created any misunderstanding, I withdraw it and sincerely apologise,” he told reporters. He added that his intention was to instruct engineers to work with integrity, but the language used was inappropriate. Meanwhile, the ministry issued a formal clarification stating that the deputy minister’s comments were misrepresented and that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.

Next Steps

In the wake of criticism from TIB and other quarters, the ministry has assured a review of the matter. Sources indicate that guidelines may be issued to ministers and senior officials to avoid such remarks in the future. Discussions are also underway to issue an internal circular to dispel confusion among LGED engineers regarding ethical conduct.