They underscored the need for taking effective measures against corruption in the tax administration and streamlining the country's taxation system.

"No new tax should be imposed without the parliament's nod," Justice Abdur Rouf said at the seminar on 'Corruption is an obstacle to revenue collection'.

Jatiya Kar Ainjibi Samity (National Tax Lawyers' Association) organised the pre-budget seminar at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Justice Rouf, a former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), said it must be ensured that corrupt people cannot use the loopholes of law to avoid punishment.

"The government has agreed to set up independent anti-corruption commission due to pressure from the donors," Enayetullah Khan, editor of The New Age, said at the seminar.

He said a section of politicians in Bangladesh think that corruption is their right.

Presenting the keynote paper, advocate Kanika Mahfuz Ara said government faces a financial loss of about Tk 12,000 crore due to rampant corruption in government agencies.

If corruption can be checked, dependence on donors will be lessened, she said.

Quoting surveys, the keynote writer said the government has to incur a loss of Tk 300 crore annually due to lack of coordination between utility services agencies.

The discussants also urged the political parties to nominate honest people in elections and make the electoral process free of black money.