TDS Desk:

Bangladesh’s new cabinet was sworn in on Tuesday, February 17. Attention is now turning to the perks its members receive. Under the Constitutionally mandated Ministers and Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers (Remuneration and Privileges) Act, cabinet members — from full minister to deputy minister — are entitled to at least 13 state benefits including salary, housing, transport and medical care.

SALARIES & HOUSING

Salaries are set by rank. A full minister receives a monthly basic salary of BDT 105,000, a state minister BDT 92,000, and a deputy minister BDT 86,500.

They are provided with a furnished, rent-free official residence during their tenure. Ministers who choose to live elsewhere receive a housing allowance: BDT 80,000 a month for a full minister and BDT 70,000 for a state or deputy minister. The state also covers all maintenance, electricity, gas and water bills for official homes.

TRANSPORT & TRAVEL

Travel benefits include a permanent government vehicle with a daily fuel allowance of 18 litres for official and personal use; a special jeep and a daily allowance of up to BDT 2,000 for travel within their constituency or the country; and insurance cover of BDT 1 million for air travel.

PERSONAL STAFF & MEDICAL

A minister may appoint, at their discretion, a Private Secretary of Joint Secretary rank, an Assistant Private Secretary, and two personal officers. Additional domestic staff including a cook and office assistant are also provided.

The most significant benefit is medical care. The government covers the full cost of treatment for any cabinet member who falls ill. There is no fixed limit; expenses are settled on submission of relevant vouchers.

HOSPITALITY ALLOWANCES

Beyond salary and housing, cabinet members receive constituency and hospitality allowances. A minister has an annual discretionary fund of BDT 1 million for local mosques, temples or charitable works; a state minister receives BDT 750,000, and a deputy minister BDT 500,000. They also receive a monthly hospitality allowance for entertaining domestic and foreign guests, ranging from BDT 5,000 to BDT 10,000 depending on rank.

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS FOR THE PM

The prime minister’s remuneration and benefits are set separately. As head of government, the premier draws a monthly basic salary of BDT 115,000 and a housing allowance of BDT 100,000. The state covers all costs for the prime minister’s travel and entertainment.

ALLOWANCES FOR MP

Members of parliament receive a monthly salary of BDT 55,000. Previously, their entitlements included development funds for their constituencies running into millions of taka, duty-free vehicle import permits and plots of land.

There are signs of change. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have said their elected representatives will forgo car and plot benefits. Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, welcomed the move. “It’s a positive step,” he said, noting that, in line with their election pledges, elected representatives should publicly declare their assets each year.