Dhaka: Parliamentary standing committees are unable to work effectively as watchdogs due to political influence and conflict of interest among committee members, says a new study of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

It revealed that the members of parliamentary committees have business interests in their respective parliamentary bodies and often they use the committees as tool to gain their own interest.

The study, titled 'Effectiveness of Parliamentary Standing Committees of Bangladesh: Problems and Way Forward', was released at a press conference held at TIB city office on Sunday.

TIB programme manager Juliet Rosette and deputy programme manger

Fafema Afroz presented the study findings.

It said the influence of ruling party and its chief have been found in formation of parliamentary watchdogs and selecting its chairmen and members, and taking decisions in meetings.

As it is not mandatory to implement the recommendations the committees place, most of the suggestions remain unimplemented, the study says, adding the ministries concerned do not give importance to the suggestions of the parliamentary bodies.

The TIB study also found lack of transparency and accountability in the activities of the standing committees while the bodies do not disseminate information regarding its activities regularly.

TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, its trustee board member Hafiz Uddin Khan and director (policy research) Mohammad Rafiqul Hasan were present at the press conference.