Clarification

The Better Work and Standards Programme (BEST) has clarified a report published in The Financial Express on June 9, 2011 titled 'MoC, EC in a row over spending of Tk 3.584 b project'.

It said: "The report is full of factual errors, and presents a grossly erroneous picture of the true situation."

"MoC and EU are not in a row. In fact, there have been no direct discussions between MoC and EU about the implementation of this activity. UNIDO is the implementing agency and is in discussions with MoC as to how the project can support the consumer council and the directorate under the public sector element of the project," it said.

The BEST also said the budget for this activity under BEST is Tk 37.48 million, not Tk 3.58 billion as stated.

"Besides, quoting erroneous figures, the writer of the article completely misunderstands the significance of the cost categories in the budget which he has apparently been given access to. The figure of Tk 0.827 million quoted for expenditure on research and seminars has no relationship to any actual budget allocation. The cost of seminars and research is met from several different budget lines depending on the type of training and may include- international and national consultants, travel costs of international consultants, office supplies, publications, cost of venues, refreshments, and cost of travel and subsistence for participants in training abroad," it said.

It further said: "The activity is designed to improve protection of consumers' rights in several ways and not solely to strengthen the directorate in the ministry (through providing training and advice)."

"The budget for international personnel is Tk 13.47 million, not Tk 1.288 billion as stated, a major part of the personnel cost will be for experts to provide advice and training through seminars," it added.

"It is agreed that appointment of skilled personnel is essential for the proper functioning of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP). But EU and GoB agreed to provide technical assistance, advice and training to ensure a sustainable, effective organisation. If the directorate is from the start dependent on temporary funding to recruit staff then by definition it will not be sustainable."

"The major part of the budget cannot be spent on the development of the DNCRP as there are other agreed activities which also have to be implemented. And the part available for the development of the DNCRP is designed, as agreed with the government, mainly for technical assistance-advice, consultancy and training."

"Mr Mian's statement that only a small proportion of the budget is to be spent to achieve the objective is erroneous; the whole of the budget is allocated for this purpose. Strengthening the DNCRP is one element; consultancy was identified and agreed with government during the planning of BEST as a necessary resource to achieve this purpose."

FE Reply: The figure in the report was inadvertently mentioned as Tk 3.58 billion instead of Tk 37.48 million. The mistake is regretted.

However, other facts of the report were based on documents of the project and comments from the concerned authorities.

View the original article here