Quorum crisis in parliament in 2017 has cost the state Tk 1.25 billion, according to a study by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
The study launched on Thursday said the House sat for 76 days in five sessions last year.
TIB says quorum crisis wasted 152 hours and 17 minutes in 2017— 38 hours every working day on an average — costing taxpayers Tk 1.252 billion.
According the Article 75 of the Constitution, the House can not start its session unless the number of members present exceeds sixty means the quorum.
Blaming lawmakers of neglecting the parliamentary affairs, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “Like previous parliaments, quorum crisis continues in the incumbent House and it is concerning.”


In 2017, lawmakers have spent 13 hours on abusive language to attack opponents in the House, according to TIB.
“It means abusive language cost the state Tk 127.66 million,” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said.
The study found that a portion of lawmakers have spent five percent of the total working hours on offensive and indecent statement, which TIB says is a clear violation of the parliament’s rules of business.
“They used abusive language against absent House colleagues, political rivals as well as members of the civil society,” said Iftekharuzzaman.