Bangladesh, July 20 -- Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has questioned the Finance Ministry's decision to put on hold a proposal to halve the monthly vehicle maintenance allowance for officials eligible for interest-free car loans, arguing that the move undermines the government's austerity efforts and reflects the influence of a privileged section of the bureaucracy.Bangladesh Business Analysis

In a statement issued on Sunday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman questioned why the government had withdrawn what he described as "a positive austerity measure", despite the prime minister's directive to reduce the allowance and abolish the interest-free vehicle loan facility.

The proposal sought to reduce the monthly vehic...