Consensus commission spends Tk45.77 lakh for hospitality, rejects TK83 crore claims
Its total budget for fiscal years 2024–25 and 2025–26 was set at Tk7.23 crore, of which it has spent Tk1.71 crore, says the commission
The National Consensus Commission has dismissed as "baseless and fabricated" the claim circulating on social media that it spent Tk83 crore on hospitality.
In a statement issued on Thursday (6 November), the commission clarified that its total budget for fiscal years 2024–25 and 2025–26 was set at Tk7.23 crore, of which it has spent Tk1.71 crore—about 23.46% of the total allocation—as of 31 October.
Of that amount, Tk63 lakh was allocated for hospitality, and Tk45.77 lakh has been spent so far, mostly on hospitality during meetings with political parties, journalists, civil society members, and foreign representatives.
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The commission said the expenditure covered food and refreshments during three phases of discussions with political parties between March and September this year.
According to the statement, 44 meetings were held with an expense of Tk4.91 lakh in the first phase from 20 March to 19 May. The second phase, which included 23 meetings at the Foreign Service Academy with 30 political parties, cost Tk28.83 lakh as sessions ran from morning till night and required full-day meal arrangements. In the third phase, representatives of 30 parties attended seven meetings that cost Tk7.08 lakh.
In addition, the commission held 50 of its own meetings, costing Tk1.05 lakh, and organised 13 events—including informal meetings, civil society sessions, and press conferences—at an expense of Tk2.03 lakh. Fourteen meetings with experts cost Tk30,960, while another Tk2 lakh was spent on hosting guests such as diplomats, party leaders, and journalists over nine months.
"It is clear from these figures that the claim of Tk83 crore in entertainment spending is entirely false and a deliberate attempt to discredit the commission and its activities," the statement said.
The commission asserted that it has maintained full transparency in its operations, regularly briefing the media, allowing open access to journalists, and broadcasting political party discussions live on television for the first time in the country's history.
It urged those behind the "malicious propaganda" to withdraw their claims and apologise, adding that responsible media outlets have consistently helped to ensure the public remains informed with accurate information.
