Petrobangla's SOS to cabinet committee

Now, the problem stems from lack of internal financial discipline within the government. The defaulting offices are showing a callous indifference towards payment for an essential utility service they can't do without. They seem to be convinced that their failure to pay the bills will not invoke any punitive action as the whole thing is an 'internal affair' of the government. So the default culture had a hey-day and huge arrears piled up.

The culture not only causes financial dislocation at the receiving end, but also sets a bad example in a far-reaching sense. The government as the trendsetter better not indulge in something which greatly undermines its moral authority to demand timely payment from the private sector and citizens in general. In fact, the entire edifice of budget might crumble if payment defaults assume such proportions. It is now a pervasive syndrome. Is it in any way better than financial defalcation and wastage?

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The fundamental issue is governance or sound financial administration required to maintain accountability and responsibility in handling such matters within the government. Internal financial discipline is a prerequisite for enforcing discipline in the financial sector. The men in charge of government organisations should not be under the impression that they can violate the rules with impunity.

The other utility service providers are facing a more or less similar problem. So, it is a case of lack of accountability across the board. The government must wake up to the alarm bell ringing to serve a notice on it regarding the high degree of internal financial indiscipline engulfing it.