The decision was taken in a council of advisers meeting that was chaired by Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed, where they also discussed short-term solutions to power shortage, such as closing shops and malls early, using less street lights, and regulating the use of decorative lights.

"The council of advisers decided that Bangladesh will sign on to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption," said Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim in a news briefing at the Chief Adviser's Office last night.

Fahim said the council of advisers directed the foreign ministry to immediately take all necessary steps to initiate the process of ratifying the convention.

The convention encourages its signatories to set up autonomous anti-corruption watchdogs, merit-based and impartial public service recruitment, public service codes of conduct, publication of government expenditure and to ensure transparency in election campaign funding, among others.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), on January 27, requested the caretaker government to sign the convention, as it would check embezzlement of public funds, cronyism, and abuse of public office.

Ratification of the convention will also allow Bangladesh to enjoy international cooperation to combat corruption and also set up international auditing and accounting standards for the local private sector, TIB said. One hundred and forty eight countries are currently signatories to the convention.

The CA's press secretary said the meeting also focused on the power sector, discussing short and long-term measures to improve power management, load management and load shedding, while looking into varying legal and social aspects of policies, including the effect on irrigation.

Officials of the energy and power ministry gave two presentations on the overall power sector scenario and presented specific proposals for the council of advisers' consideration, including closing shopping malls and shops of non-essentials early, having street lights on one side of roads, and regulating the use of decorative lights.

The CA asked the energy and power divisions to work together towards specific solutions using coal and gas. The council expected a report from the ministry within ten to twelve days at a follow-up meeting.

The council also asked the ministry to look into alternative power systems, including the use of smaller power plants. Fahim also said the drive against illegal power connections will continue.

A 7-member voice over internet protocol (VoIP) review committee has also been set up that will report back to the council within ten days, said the press secretary.