Dhaka: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) considered the provision of legalizing black money that has been proposed in the budget as unconstitutional and immoral.

The proposal is contradictory to the government's election pledge and example of the institutionalization of corruption by the policy, it observed, said a statement of the organization on Saturday.

Iftekhruzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, in the statement said: "Whitening black money proposed in the national budget is against the spirit of Article 20(2) of the Constitution." He said the proposal also discriminates against honest customers of the real estate sector and would encourage people to take illegal path of earning income.

"The government, not only, is pushing the real estate sector to be captured by corruption, but sending a message to the society that the government is the protector of corruption and illegality," he added.

The TIB executive director noted: "Politics may indeed be a game of compromise, as the Minister told the media, but if the core principles of honesty, constitutionality, equality of all and justice are compromised with politics, then politics will have nothing to do with public interest and democratic values."

TIB is also disappointed that the opposition leaders who have criticized the provision have done so clearly for political mileage as they have refrained from specifically committing what their position would be in this regard if they were voted to power.

Iftekharuzzaman said the opposition has also behaved irresponsibly and immorally by absenting from the session on the budget day.

"They (opposition) have indeed boycotted all previous budget sessions of the present parliament, and have once again taken the course of undermining their parliamentary responsibility and commitment to an extent that is equal to disrespecting people's right and interest as voters," he added.

Ends/AMA/08/06/13