[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch

[Saif]

Dev projects still marred by misspending, wastage: adviser

Adviser for power, energy and mineral resources Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Friday said that development projects in Bangladesh were still besmirched with wastage and misspending.

www.newagebd.net

Dev projects still marred by misspending, wastage: adviser
Staff Correspondent 06 December, 2024, 23:02

Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan | File photo

Adviser for power, energy and mineral resources Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Friday said that development projects in Bangladesh were still besmirched with wastage and misspending.

He made the remark at the inaugural event of the 6th National HR Convention 2024 organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Human Resource Organisations at Southeast University in the capital Dhaka on the day.

‘The government does not have the means to understand these things. Different donor agencies and consultants explain these issues to us,’ he said.

‘We have already seen the consequences of wastage once. If these misspending and wastages continue, there will be an even bigger rebellion next time. Some think that the interim government is a one-time episode, but it’s not,’ Fouzul Kabir Khan added.

‘When I go on field trips and talk to the people, I observe that the anger still remains inside them,’ the power adviser said.

‘Karnaphuli tunnel was built at the cost of Tk 10,000 crore, however, I have observed while visiting, vehicles do not use that tunnel much. There is no end to wastage in development projects wherever I go,’ the adviser noted.

Fouzul said, ‘A power plant was built in Rupsha, Khulna, costing Tk 8,000 crore, but there is no gas available for it. On my way back, I saw that Tk 41,000 crore was spent on the Padma rail bridge, though a few thousand crore was saved in the final stages.’

He continued, ‘I learned that the project was expected to generate Tk 1,400 crore in revenue every year, and I thought it was a good initiative. However, in six months, it only earned Tk 37 crore in revenue, according to officials. This is how these projects are justified.’

He pointed out that such actions were simply wasteful and said that the blame did not lie only with politicians, government officials were also involved.

Md Sabur Khan, chairman of Daffodil International University and Global Entrepreneurship Network- Bangladesh Chapter, among others, was present in the event.​

 

[Saif]

Businesses call to curb red tape, corruption to spur investment

Investment barriers at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) must be addressed immediately to bolster investor confidence and increase investment growth, according to experts and top business leaders.

www.thedailystar.net

Businesses call to curb red tape, corruption to spur investment

Investment barriers at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) must be addressed immediately to bolster investor confidence and increase investment growth, according to experts and top business leaders.

The laws concerned must be amended right away in order to end the culture of bribery and establish corruption-free service organisations, they suggested.

"Facilitation of trade and investment must be a priority. A trade and investment commission with active participation from the private sector is required," Ashraf Ahmed, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said while speaking with The Daily Star recently.

He added that many reforms could be implemented immediately, such as those that can be initiated through executive orders or require changes in the rules rather than the law.

However, some major reforms will require changes to existing laws. So, they will require approval from parliament.

According to Ahmed, numerous laws must be updated to reflect changing global circumstances and business needs. This includes the Companies Act 2014, Export Import Control Act 1950, Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947, Competition Act, Income Tax Act, Customs Act, and VAT Act.

Ahmed said amending and updating these laws is required to create a conducive environment for investment.

However, many reform opportunities which will not require changes in the law also exist, such as automation of filing procedures for the RJSC, Chief Controller of Import and Export or customs.

Mohammed Amirul Haque, managing director of Premier Cement Mills, stressed the need for a platform that will focus on trade and investment as well as address problems and bottlenecks faced by entrepreneurs.

He alleged that the inconsistent policy governing the adjustable advance income tax of investors was discouraging investment by increasing the business cost by around 10 percent.

Haque added that entrepreneurs would have to keep a 35 percent profit margin to sustain the businesses in line with the existing income tax law.

This type of bottleneck indirectly encourages the siphoning of money, he alleged.

Asif Ibrahim, former president of DCCI, said the business community hopes the burning issues in the private sector of Bangladesh will now get due priority from the interim government.

Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), said he met over 300 chief executive officers over the past 50 days to identify the challenges faced by businesses and was focusing on addressing the barriers.

"Basically, I am doing this to bring necessary changes and reforms to create a business-friendly environment," he said.

According to Chowdhury, everybody acknowledges that corruption occurs at the NBR, posing a major obstacle to doing business transparently and smoothly.

Zaved Akhter, president of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), said although no reform commission has been formed regarding investment, all the reforms that have been taken will ultimately support investment and business.

Bangladesh is the only country in the world where investors raise capital for investment from the money market, he said, while investors in other countries raise capital from the stock market. Reforms are needed in this area, he suggested.

However, he said initiatives taken to change the structure of the stock market would undoubtedly support the investment.

Investment reforms should come mainly from the Bida, where everything can be done under one umbrella, he said, adding: "If the initiatives taken by the BIDA can be implemented, the confidence of investors will increase."

He added: "I am extremely confident that these changes will help create an environment for doing business."

Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said a zero-tolerance policy must be formulated immediately and implemented to improve the state of law and order.

Additionally, he advocated for trade associations to be free of politics.

M Masrur Reaz, chairman and chief executive officer of the Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, said think tanks have already conducted a lot of research on how to build an investment-friendly environment and attract FDI.

"All the barriers have been detected. We just need the Bida or another high-powered government entity to address the issues by implementing the recommendations," he said.

In order to boost the confidence of foreign investors, he emphasised the importance of improving the ease of doing business.​

 

[Saif]

Capital flights, corruption make ensuring equality challenging

Planning and education adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Saturday said that building an equitable society in the current reality was challenging, given that huge capital flights, corruption and massive irregularities...

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Capital flights, corruption make ensuring equality challenging
Staff Correspondent 07 December, 2024, 23:01

Planning and education adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud. | File photo

Planning and education adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Saturday said that building an equitable society in the current reality was challenging, given that huge capital flights, corruption and massive irregularities had constrained investments in education, health, human resource development and other areas.

He made the comment at the inaugural session of the Annual BIDS Conference on Development (ABCD) 2024, organised by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies at the Hotel Lakeshore at Gulshan in the capital Dhaka.

Wahiduddin, also an economist, inaugurated the four-day development conference titled ‘Equality, Opportunity, Freedom, and Dignity for Equitable and Sustainable Development’.

BIDS director general Binayak Sen delivered the opening remarks during the inaugural session.

Discussing how Bangladesh could build an equitable society following the student-led mass uprising, Wahiduddin highlighted the severe resource constraints faced by the interim government.

He pointed out that significant amounts of money were siphoned off abroad, while domestic funds remained in banks but were inaccessible.

Regarding the projects initiated during the previous government’s tenure, he pointed out that several projects were prestige-driven, undertaken primarily for publicity rather than necessity.

The interim government is now re-evaluating their purposes and outcomes, he said.

‘We are still trapped in the lower middle-income bracket, far from achieving what the Philippines has, let alone Malaysia,’ the adviser observed.

He mentioned that Vietnam’s per capita income in the 1990s was similar to Bangladesh’s.

‘Now Vietnam’s per capita income is 40-50 times of Bangladesh. They secure $20 billion annually in foreign direct investment, while we attract just $2 billion,’ he said.

‘We lack substantial global economic integration and need significant advancements in education and technology,’ he added.

Regarding Bangladesh’s LDC graduation, he highlighted the country’s qualification twice for the graduation.

Seeking an extension to remain an LDC is seen as regressive, he said.

‘Once qualified, a nation must graduate. We need active global engagement to navigate this shift,’ he added.

Wahiduddin Mahmud also expressed hope that Bangladesh would see an elected government in 2025.

‘No country can become rich overnight. It requires collective efforts and a sustained strategy. Our interim government is here for a short term,’ Wahiduddin said.

The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed on August 8 following the fall of the authoritarian regime of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5.

Indermit S Gill, the chief economist of the World Bank Group, said, ‘To escape being trapped in slower growth, middle-income countries need to balance the economic forces of creation, preservation and destruction.’

Middle-income countries which are home to six billion people, are in a race against time, he said.​

 

[Saif]

Mass uprising renews call to combat corruption

The country will observe International Anti-Corruption Day today with a fresh call to combat the widespread corruption upholding the spirit of the student-people uprising...

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Mass uprising renews call to combat corruption
Solamain Salman 09 December, 2024, 00:16

The country will observe International Anti-Corruption Day today with a fresh call to combat the widespread corruption upholding the spirit of the student-people uprising.

Experts said that corruption affected every aspect of the society in the past 15 years of the Awami League rule due to lack of governance and accountability, and indifference of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The Awami League, in its election manifestos, had announced a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and then AL lawmakers, ministers, and deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina had also promised to fight corruption, but the announcements remained on paper only.

People have witnessed massive corruption, including money laundering, abuse of power, accumulation of illegal wealth and embezzlement of money from banking and financial institutions in the name of loans, in the past 15 years.

The Anti-Corruption Commission, however, failed to check the graft as its independence was also held hostage to the successive governments in the past, the experts said.

The governments, by dint of its authority to appoint the top brass of the commission, placed their favoured officers in the commission and maintained comfortable control over it, they said.

As a result, the commission’s ability to act independently in fighting corruption has remained severely tied down right from its establishment in 2004, they added.

Despite officially being an independent agency, the commission has rather been used as a weapon by the successive governments against their opponents, they observed.

For the same reason, the agency could rarely take into account the corruption allegations brought against the powerful ones, particularly politicians, bureaucrats and businesspeople belonging to or associated with the ruling parties, the experts said.

Even the commission, in most cases, has failed to initiate an inquiry or file cases against powerful quarters without a go-ahead signal from the government, they said.

According to the White Paper on the State of Bangladesh Economy, the country lost $16 billion annually between 2009 and 2023 because of the illicit fund flow amid systemic tax evasion, misuse of exemptions, and poorly managed public finances under the authoritarian AL regime.

The white paper, submitted to chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on December 1, underscored the significant fiscal opportunities lost to corruption and stated that halving tax exemptions could double education funding and triple health allocations.

TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman told New Age on Sunday that the promises about zero tolerance against corruption remained only on paper.

‘The corruption is on the rise, and it was also institutionalised in Bangladesh in the past through the tripartite collusion of bureaucracy, politics and business,’ he said.

‘The tripartite collusion had created scope for abusing power, weakening the state structure as corruption, especially high-level corruption and money laundering, increased,’ he added.

The past government not only allowed corruption but also gave protection to the corruption, said Iftekharuzzaman.

‘Our young generation created scope of bringing change through mass uprising, so we have to utilise the scope with the spirit of the mass uprising to combat corruption.’

A positive change is, however, a must in bureaucracy and politics to make an effective functional Anti-Corruption Commission to check corruption, he said.

According to a TIB survey titled Corruption in Service Sectors: National Household Survey 2023, people paid an estimated Tk 1.46 lakh crore in bribes to get services during the 15 years of AL rule.

The survey of 15,515 households revealed that 70.9 per cent of respondents encountered corruption while seeking services in 2023.

Between May 2023 and April 2024, service seekers paid about Tk 10,902 crore in bribes, which is 1.4 per cent of the revised national budget for the 2023-24 financial year and 0.2 per cent of the GDP, it says.

The survey also found that the Department of Immigration and Passports, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, and law enforcement agencies were the most corruption-prone sectors, respectively.

It said that 50.8 per cent of the surveyed households reported paying bribes or being forced to pay extra for services.

Former ACC director general Moyeedul Islam said, ‘The ACC could not play a role as an independent body during AL tenure as the partisan governments held the agency hostage and controlled it.’

He said, ‘All the political governments used the ACC as a weapon for harassing opposition people in the past, but the trend should change to fight corruption.’

He stressed the need for holding the corrupt people accountable to effectively combat corruption.

The commission should work effectively this time, as now a neutral government is in power, but top posts of the commission are lying vacant for more than one month, he expressed frustration.

The latest Transparency International report published in January also indicated that corruption was increasing in Bangladesh as the country slid two steps to the 10th position from the bottom among the 180 countries covered by its Corruption Perception Index 2023.

Bangladesh, which was in the 12th position in the same index in 2022, ranked 149th in 2023, down from 147th position in the previous year, while its points dropped to 24 points out of 100 in 2023 from 25 points in 2022.

Bangladesh is the 4th most corrupt country among 31 Asia-Pacific countries and second in South Asia, ahead of only Afghanistan, it said.​

 

[Saif]

Anatomy of Rolls Royce import

The news that eight Rolls Royce cars have arrived in the country for the first time following formal commercial import procedures over the past six months may cause some unease as an immediate reaction. But the unsettling feeling may get somewhat quieted when it is known that a certain type of the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Anatomy of Rolls Royce import
Neil Ray
Published :
Dec 09, 2024 00:45
Updated :
Dec 09, 2024 00:45

The news that eight Rolls Royce cars have arrived in the country for the first time following formal commercial import procedures over the past six months may cause some unease as an immediate reaction. But the unsettling feeling may get somewhat quieted when it is known that a certain type of the world's most luxurious car has been imported. Although these eight cars are still the most expensive cars ever imported over the past two decades, they are electric models the company has been producing of late.

The advantage of these cars is primarily their environmental non-pollution but what really prompted the importers and customers to procure those is the duty waiver on electricity-driven cars. Two of the cars were ordered by separate customers and the rest were imported by industrial groups for their own use. When the orders were placed with car traders and the manufacturer of the cars is not known. Most likely, a few of those were ordered before the August 5 political changeover.

Each of the luxury cars costs, according to a report carried in a contemporary, more than Tk46 million but import duty has been a modest 89.32 per cent. So the import duty stood at Tk41 million for each car and the total cost amounted to nearly Tk90 million. Had the cars not been electric ones, the import duty would be a whopping 826.60 per cent and the duty alone would be in the range of Tk 380 to 400 million. Surely not many could afford this extra buck on duty but some possibly could.

Possession of this ultimate brand of four wheeler is something special the aristocrats the world over savour. In Bangladesh aristocrats are hardly the top moneyed class. It is the ultra-rich or, as some would like to call, filthy rich who have the money at their disposal to own such cars. But they did not possibly go for the brand because it would have drawn closer attention from agencies like the National Board of Revenue and Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) or social backlash. What happened during the previous army-backed government may be an indication. At that time quite a few of the expensive cars were abandoned on the street just in panic. In case the owners who illegally imported those in collusion with the custom, excise and vat department got identified, they either hid those or abandoned on the unlikely points of street at wee hours!

Yet the ultra-rich section of society cannot avoid some vanity for societal pressures and pulls. For example, in some posh areas of Dhaka City, the residents' vanity is well fed if they keep their expensive cars right in front of their gates. Whether they drive those expensive cars or not, is immaterial; they want to show their prized possessions off. But after a movement of the August 5 order, the owners became cautious. The cars they deliberately placed for public view have suddenly disappeared. So the import of the more expensive and luxurious cars at this time could not happen unless those were ordered earlier.

The fact is money talks and does so in weird ways. Cars are a symptom, not the malaise. When the ill-gotten money accumulated at the expense of the rest of society starts talking, no one knows how the process will end up. For example, the Rolls Royce Beximco imported was burnt down. The system that gives rise to mindless inequality in society with no scientific and technological invention accompanied with--- more often than not--- devious development of entrepreneurships and businesses, presents opportunities for its correction. So, the nations that can learn lessons from the reversals of fortunes and mend their ways of wealth creation and its distribution in order to ensure socio-economic justice, have the right to live in peace and harmony. Bangladesh has one such opportunity right now, much will depend on how the country grabs it to rectify its system.​

 

[Saif]

Two cops withdrawn over bribery

The officer-in-charge and a sub-inspector of Adabor Police Station were withdrawn over the incident of taking bribe from an accused in a case filed after August 5.

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Two cops withdrawn over bribery

The officer-in-charge and a sub-inspector of Adabor Police Station were withdrawn over the incident of taking bribe from an accused in a case filed after August 5.

SI Shaheen Parvez was closed and attached to the office of Deputy Commissioner of Tejgaon Division Police on Sunday night as he allegedly took money from an accused.

The SI was tasked with the investigation of a murder case filed with the police station after August 5, police officials said.

Meanwhile, Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of DMP, said OC Imtiaz Parvez has been withdrawn and attached to the DMP headquarters.

Yesterday, the DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said he has taken action against a police member for taking money from an accused.

The city police chief said the complainants of the cases filed after August 5 made several hundred accused and are now taking extortion from the accused, promising to drop the names.

"Not all of my force members are good. I got reports that my force members were taking money from the accused," he said, adding that the complainants who are taking money from the accused will be sued with extortion charges.

Talking to The Daily Star, OC Imtiaz said the authorities transferred him as his SI was closed earlier for the offence.

Shaheen could not be contacted as his phone was found switched off.​

 

[Saif]

Mohammad Abdul Momen new chairman of ACC

The government on Tuesday appointed senior secretary of the Public Security division of home ministry Mohammad Abdul Momen as new chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission...

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Mohammad Abdul Momen new chairman of ACC
Staff Correspondent 10 December, 2024, 17:47

Mohammad Abdul Momen | UNB photo

The government on Tuesday appointed senior secretary of the Public Security division of home ministry Mohammad Abdul Momen as new chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The government also appointed retired District and Sessions Judge Mia Mohammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid as new commissioners of the ACC, according to a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division.

It said that Momen, as ACC chairman, will enjoy salary, allowances, and status given to an Appellate Division judge, while the two commissioners, as commissioners, will enjoy salary, allowances, and status given to a High Court Division judge.

Momen was working on a contract basis in the public security division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, but he resigned on December 8 from that post to join as ACC chairman, said ministry officials.

The Public Administration ministry also on Tuesday issued a separate official order cancelling Momen’s contractual appointment.

Momen was sent on compulsory retirement in 2013 by the then Awami League government while he was a joint secretary.

After the AL government fell on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising, he was appointed as secretary of the Public Security Division of the home ministry on contractual basis. Later, he was promoted to senior secretary.

On October 29, former ACC chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah and two commissioners, Md Zahurul Haque (Investigation) and Mosammat Asia Khatoon (Inquiry), resigned from their positions.​

 

[Saif]

550 individuals’ Tk 15,000cr frozen for investigation

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit has frozen bank accounts of nearly 550 individuals and entities, holding around Tk 15,000 crore, over allegations of accumulating substantial assets through unethical means.

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550 individuals’ Tk 15,000cr frozen for investigation
Mostafizur Rahman 15 December, 2024, 00:34

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit has frozen bank accounts of nearly 550 individuals and entities, holding around Tk 15,000 crore, over allegations of accumulating substantial assets through unethical means.

BFIU officials said that the anti-money laundering agency started to freeze their accounts after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.

The frozen accounts belong to individuals including political leaders, businesspeople, and influential public figures tied to the Awami League-led government, they said.

The investigations focus on financial irregularities, including money laundering, loan fraud, and asset misappropriation.

Key figures include Sheikh Hasina’s family members such as her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby.

Accounts linked to her cousins Abul Hasanat Abdullah, Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, and Sheikh Helal Uddin, along with their respective family members have also been frozen.

The list extends to organisations like the Awami League’s research cell, the Centre for Research and Information, and its CRI-Young Bangla project.

Several former ministers, MPs, and advisers close to Sheikh Hasina are under investigation.

These include former Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Security Adviser Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and NTMC’s former director general Major General (dismissed) Ziaul Ahsan. Accounts linked to former Bangladesh parliament speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and her family are also affected.

Bankers said that given the scale and complexity of these allegations, the path toward effective accountability and recovery of misap propriated funds remained challenging.

Prominent ministers in the previous government, such as Obaidul Quader, AHM Mustafa Kamal, Mohammad Hasan Mahmud, Tipu Munshi, Asaduzzaman Khan, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, as well as their family members and related companies, are included in the investigation.

The crackdown extends to major business conglomerates like S Alam, Beximco, Summit, Bashundhara, Orion and others.

The S Alam Group, led by Saiful Alam Masud and his associates, is a central focus.

Salman F Rahman of Beximco, along with his son and daughter-in-law, is also under investigation.

The list also included Summit Group’s Mohammad Aziz Khan, Muhammad Faruk Khan, and 11 members of their family; Bashundhara Group chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and 8 of his family members; Orion Group’s Obaidul Karim and 6 members of his family; Diamond World’s Dilip Kumar Agarwala and his wife; Nabil Group managing director Aminul Islam and 6 of his family members; Nasa Group’s Nazrul Islam Mazumder and his wife; the late Zainul Haque Sikder’s family, comprising 14 members; and Chowdhury Nafiz Sarafat, his wife Anjuman Ara Sahid and their son Rahib Safwan Sarafat Chowdhury.

Figures from the banking and financial sector are also on the list, including Premier Bank chairman HBM Iqbal, NRBC Bank chairman SM Parvez Tamal, and former SBAC Bank chairman Abu Zafar Mohammad Shafi Uddin.

Former Union Bank MD Mokammel Haque Chowdhury and former BSEC chairman Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, along with eight of his family members, are being investigated.

The BFIU has sought assistance from foreign authorities by sending letters requesting information on money laundering activities involving six major business groups.

So far, the BFIU is investigating allegations of money laundering, loan fraud, and embezzlement of government funds against 20 business groups.

Reports on entities like the S Alam Group and Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed’s family have already been submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department and Anti-Corruption Commission for legal action.

Investigations are also going on regarding 18 other business groups, including Beximco, Summit, Bashundhara, Orion, Sikder, Nasa, and Nabil.

In addition, 110 incidents involving 343 individuals and 200 organizations are under investigation.​

 

[Saif]

Govt discards four ill-conceived projects after Tk 6.74b spent

The interim government has decided to terminate four of less-priority projects , including three named after Sheikh Hasina and her family members, on which Tk 6.74 billion has already been spent. Three of the projects under the annual development programme are Sheikh Hasina University in N

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt discards four ill-conceived projects after Tk 6.74b spent
JAHIDUL ISLAM
Published :
Dec 15, 2024 00:55
Updated :
Dec 15, 2024 00:55

The interim government has decided to terminate four of less-priority projects , including three named after Sheikh Hasina and her family members, on which Tk 6.74 billion has already been spent.

Three of the projects under the annual development programme are Sheikh Hasina University in Netrakona, Sheikh Zahurul Haque Rural Development Academy in Jashore and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novotheatre in Khulna.

Another scheme is for the procurement of six open-headed tourist buses for the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation.

"The tenure of such projects has expired and the government decided not to extend time. Again, some of the projects having implementation tenure are also being suspended," said a high official concerned.

The planning ministry and implementing agencies are also searching for such unnecessary and politically motivated projects to cancel, according to him.

The costs of the projects in question were initially estimated more than Tk 34.17 billion, which was fully supported from the state coffers. Winding up these projects before completion has mitigated fiscal pressure by way of immediately saving Tk 27.44 billion.

However, experts and economists argue that terminating these projects prematurely will deprive potential beneficiaries of their intended benefits.

They say a significant portion of the budget already spent on these projects might have been wasted, warning that partially completed buildings and materials could gather dust if left unfinished.

"The projects are being cancelled midway because they were undertaken without assessing the actual needs of the people and the government's capacity to implement them," said Dr Mustafa K Mujeri, former director -general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies.

Many of these projects lacked proper feasibility study. The names of influential family members were used to facilitate their approval and funding, making it easier to exploit public resources, he added.

Dr Mujeri called for identifying and cancelling politically motivated projects and also for ensuring accountability of those involved in initiating them.

Officials said the Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division of the Planning Commission conducted a meeting of the project evaluation committee (PEC) to end the academy project in Jashore halfway through.

The project, initiated in 2022, involving Tk 1.99 billion, was programmed for completion by January 2025. So far, Tk 269.49 million has been spent.

The academy in Monirampur, Jashore, was undertaken as a tribute to Sheikh Zahurul Haque, the grandfather of deposed premier Hasina and father of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa.

Chairing the PEC meeting, Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, member of the Commission, said such a situation could have been avoided had feasibility studies, potential outcomes and optimal use of invested funds been thoroughly considered before undertaking the projects.

He highlighted the importance of conducting proper surveys to ensure viability.

Another official suggests reviewing the past projects executed by the Rural Development and Cooperatives Department, particularly those aimed at establishing development academies, training academies or similar entities.

As the activities of two long-standing academies -- BARD in Comilla and RDA in Bogura -- are well-documented, the contributions of the recently established ones in Gopalganj, Jamalpur and Rangpur remain less visible.

As Gopalganj Training Complex is only 70 kilometres from Jashore, he suggests that related training and development activities in Jashore region be efficiently conducted from the Gopalganj facility in order to eliminate the need for redundant infrastructure.

Meanwhile, planning adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud discarded a project taken for the procurement of tourist coaches after a waste of Tk 0.72 million.

The project was initiated in 2020 at Tk 271.8 million with an eye to carrying tourists from home and abroad to attractive tourist spots.

Officials said tender was invited for the project several times but no party submitted any proposal. So, the previous government itself decided to conclude the project.


The Commission extended the tenure of the 'Establishment of Sheikh Hasina University, Netrakona', project up to this December ignoring a proposal for extending it up to June 2027.

The first revised cost was set at Tk 6.46 billion, which was only 24.48 per cent of the original project cost of Tk 26.37 billion.

The project sought to develop a modern campus through setting up 12 residential buildings worth Tk 5.21 billion, 17 non-residential structures worth Tk 7.91 billion and some other infrastructures.

However, the revised project will not help complete any academic or administrative building.

The administrative and academic activities of the university have been continuing on the premises of the Technical Training Centre since 2017.

The current status of the project makes it difficult to shift activities to own campus by January, according to Dr Mohammad Harun-Or-Rashid, registrar, Sheikh Hasina University, Netrakona.​

 

[Saif]

Information on ‘our’ assets should also be open, says Hafiz Ahsan

Retired army officer Hafiz Ahsan Farid, the new commissioner (inquiry) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has said the information on the assets of those engaged in the prevention of corruption should also be open. Speaking to journalists on the first working day at the ACC office in Dhaka o

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Information on ‘our’ assets should also be open, says Hafiz Ahsan
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Dec 15, 2024 23:25
Updated :
Dec 15, 2024 23:25

Retired army officer Hafiz Ahsan Farid, the new commissioner (inquiry) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has said the information on the assets of those engaged in the prevention of corruption should also be open.

Speaking to journalists on the first working day at the ACC office in Dhaka on Sunday, he said: "It should be open whether we who work to curb corruption are corruption-free or not.”

"The people of the country should know how much wealth we had when we joined the work and how much wealth we will have when we leave this commission."

Hafiz arrived at the ACC office after assuming responsibility as the commissioner in the afternoon. He spoke to the media while leaving, reports bdnews24.com.

"Considering the trust and credibility with which I have been appointed, I think it is a sacred deposit from the government and the people.”

"Coupled with this deposit is the dream of the July-August uprising. This deposit is stained with the blood of our revolutionary martyred students and people. I will try my best to save the deposit."

ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen and another member of the commission, retired district and sessions judge Mian Md Ali Akbar Azizi, joined the work on Wednesday.

Hafiz did not take on his duties that day.

Earlier on Dec 10, a notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid announced the appointments of the ACC chairman and two commissioners.

On Oct 29, former ACC chief Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, and former commissioners Asia Khatoon and Jahurul Haque resigned from their posts, citing “personal reasons” amid a widespread reshuffling in the administration after the government changeover.

Moinuddin was once a senior secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. He took over as ACC chairman on Mar 3, 2021.

Although they were assigned to the ACC for a five-year term, they had to leave one and a half years before their term was completed under the changed circumstances.

The interim government formed a search committee to recommend candidates for the position of ACC chairman and commissioners on Nov 10.

Supreme Court Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque was appointed as the head of the committee.

The new chairman and two commissioners were appointed within a month of the formation of the selection committee to form the new ACC commission.​

 

[Saif]

Graft in RNPP project: HC issues rule over ACC’s inaction in probe

The High Court has issued a rule seeking explanation as to why the inaction of the ACC in probing the allegations of graft against ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Joy and niece Tulip in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project should not be decaled illegal. The High Court bench of Justice

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Graft in RNPP project: HC issues rule over ACC’s inaction in probe
UNB
Published :
Dec 15, 2024 21:04
Updated :
Dec 15, 2024 21:04

The High Court has issued a rule seeking explanation as to why the inaction of the ACC in probing the allegations of graft against ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Joy and niece Tulip in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project should not be decaled illegal.

The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Mubina Asaf issued the rule on Sunday following a writ petition in this regard.

Fourteen people including Secretary of Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, ACC Chairman, Sheikh Hasina, Sajib Wazed Joy and Tulip Siddique were made respondents to the rule.

The writ petition, filed on September 3 by Bobby Hajjaj, Chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), sought an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Tk 600 billion (Tk 60,000 crore) from the RNPP through a Malaysian bank by them.

A report on the alleged corruption involving Sheikh Hasina’s family members in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was published in various newspapers on August 19.​

 

[Saif]

Graft allegations against Tulip make headlines in UK

The ACC accused her and family members of embezzling billions as part of a deal for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh -- Rooppur Power Plant Project

www.thedailystar.net

Graft allegations against Tulip make headlines in UK

Several news outlets in the UK yesterday reported on the corruption charges brought against UK Treasury's Economic Secretary Tulip Siddiq by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The ACC accused her and family members of embezzling billions as part of a deal for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh -- Rooppur Power Plant Project.

Tulip Siddiq, 42, who is responsible for tackling corruption in UK financial markets, is alleged to have brokered a deal with Russia in 2013 that overinflated the price of a new nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.

The allegation is part of a wider investigation by the ACC into Siddiq's aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed as prime minister of Bangladesh in August.

The allegation triggered a political storm in the UK with the government defending her and the opposition calling on her to come clean.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given his full support to Tulip Siddiq, reports The Guardian.

Starmer's official spokesperson said the prime minister had full confidence in Siddiq and confirmed that she would continue to handle anti-corruption issues.

"The minister has denied any involvement," he said. "Obviously, I can't speak to the Bangladeshi anti-corruption commission, and also can't comment on unconfirmed media speculation."

A source close to Siddiq said these were "trumped up charges".

The Conservatives in the UK immediately seized on the allegations, saying it was "the latest stain on Keir Starmer's judgment," reports BBC.

Conservative shadow home office minister Matt Vickers said: "The fact Labour's anti-corruption minister is reportedly embroiled in a corruption case is the latest stain on Keir Starmer's judgement.

"It is high time she came clean. The British public deserve a government that is focused on their priorities, not distracted by yet another scandal."

The submission to the ACC of Bangladesh has alleged that Siddiq was "instrumental in managing the affairs and coordinating meetings with Russian government officials" to orchestrate the £10b Rooppur Power Plant Project deal and that Hasina and family members received "30 percent of the embezzled funds in exchange for their mediation".

Footage from 2013 appears to show Siddiq attended the deal's signing by Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, recorded by the Associated Press.

The BBC understands that Siddiq has not had any contact with the ACC as part of the investigation.

Syed Faruk, who runs the UK branch of Hasina's Awami League party, said the claims were "fabricated".

Siddiq was elected MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 2015, the north London constituency neighbouring Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's seat of Holborn and St Pancras.

Corruption allegations and convictions against top leaders of ousted governments are not new in Bangladesh.

Hasina's main predecessor as prime minister, Khaleda Zia faced similar charges, which she also dismissed as politically motivated. As did ex-president Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who seized power as head of the army during a bloodless coup in 1982.

The Bangladeshi judiciary's independence has long been questioned.

Government changes often bring judicial reshuffles, with ruling parties regularly accused of targeting political opponents.​

 

[Saif]

ACC back in action to net ‘big fish’

The formation of the new commission has brought speed back to the Anti-Corruption Commission’s work. In just five days since its formation, the new commission’s scrutiny of heavyweight corruption suspects, deposed prime minister...

www.newagebd.net

ACC back in action to net ‘big fish’
Solamain Salman 21 December, 2024, 00:11

The formation of the new commission has brought speed back to the Anti-Corruption Commission’s work. In just five days since its formation, the new commission’s scrutiny of heavyweight corruption suspects, deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina among them, has gathered a fast pace.

In a flurry of activity in just five days, starting from its first working day on December 12, the agency filed cases and launched inquiries against high-profile corruption suspects, conducted anti-graft drives and issued international travel bans on suspects.

In December 12–19, the agency filed 20 cases against around 100 mostly powerful corruption suspects, former ministers, lawmakers, top bosses of banks and businessmen among them.

It also launched inquiries against at least 20 bigwig corruption suspects, conducted 29 anti-graft drives at different government offices, and issued international travel bans on around 30 high-profile corruption suspects during this time.

‘The commission will not spare any corrupt individual, and no favouritism will be shown to any special cadres or individuals,’ stated its director general for prevention Md Aktar Hossain.

Officials said that the commission’s activities were almost stalled for more than one month until the appointment of a new chairman and commissioners on December 10.

After joining office on December 11, its new chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said that the commission would start probes into the allegations against ‘big fish’ immediately, as it was the expectation of people.

‘We will take action immediately about those cases of corruption that significantly affected the country and take action against the culprits behind the corruption,’ he said at the time.

In its first five working days, at least 20 cases were filed against around 100 corruption suspects, including former ministers Zahid Maleque, Sadan Chandra Mojumder and Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury, and former state ministers Mirza Azam and Zunaied Ahmed Palak, over allegations of amassing illegal wealth.

The accused in these cases also include former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, former Detective Branch of police chief Harun-or-Rashid, former lawmakers Nizam Uddin Hazari and Naimur Rahman Durjoy, former National Board of Revenue official Matiur Rahman, former Islami Bank chairman Ahsanul Alam, and the bank’s managing director Mohammad Monirul Moula.

The commission has also sped up its probes into new graft allegations, while widening its net in a bid to bring more individuals under scrutiny.

The ACC launched inquiries against at least 20 heavyweights, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, former IFIC Bank chairman Salman F Rahman, former managing director Shah Alam Sarwar, former revenue board chairman Najibur Rahman, sacked major general Ziaul Ahsan, former secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, and S Alam Group chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam, over allegations of amassing illegal wealth, power abuse and money laundering.

Regarding inquiries, the commission has started an inquiry into allegations of embezzling Tk 80,000 crore by Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq from different development projects, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project initiated during the Awami League regime.

The agency also issued travel bans on around 30 people, including former ministers Amir Hossain Amu, Mujibul Haque and Shariar Alam, former lawmakers Nurnabi Chowdhury Shawon, Abu Jahir, and Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, Bahauddin Bahar, Dhaka Regency hotel managing director Kabir Reza, Samabay Bank former chairman Mohiuddin Ahmed, and former Cumilla city mayor Thasin Bahar Suchana.

The commission’s enforcement unit in these five days also conducted around 30 anti-corruption drives at different government offices, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, passport offices, land offices and the Election commission office.

When asked, former commission director general Moyeedul Islam told New Age, ‘The new commission is now filing cases and initiating inquiries that were pending during its absence.’

‘If the new commission can net “big fishes”, those who are involved with mega corruption and ensures punishment for them, its capacity would be proved only then,’ he added.

Experts and stakeholders have long been suggesting reforms in the Anti-Corruption Commission to sufficiently empower it to act with effective independence, freeing it from both political and bureaucratic influences.

Successive governments through its authority over appointing the top brass of the agency, placed its favoured officers in the commission and maintained comfortable control over it. As a result, the commission’s ability to act with independence in fighting corruption had severely been stymied right from its establishment in 2004, experts told New Age.

Despite officially being an independent agency, the ACC has rather been used as a weapon by the political governments against their opponents, they observe.

For the same reason, the agency could rarely take into account the corruption allegations brought against the powerful ones, belonging to or associated with the ruling parties, experts have said.

Former senior secretary Mohammad Abdul Momen was appointed as the commission chairman with former district and sessions judge Mia Mohammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid appointed as commissioners on December 9.​

 

[Saif]

Summit power co dodges Tk 11.12 billion in taxes

An investigation by the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) in the revenue sector has uncovered that Summit Group has evaded payment of Tk 11.12 billion in taxes in the single-largest case of tax-dodging in Bangladesh, officials say. The tax avoidance has occurred by way of not deducting withh

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Summit power co dodges Tk 11.12 billion in taxes
'We have never evaded tax', Summit claims
Doulot Akter Mala
Published :
Dec 22, 2024 00:35
Updated :
Dec 22, 2024 00:35

An investigation by the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) in the revenue sector has uncovered that Summit Group has evaded payment of Tk 11.12 billion in taxes in the single-largest case of tax-dodging in Bangladesh, officials say.

The tax avoidance has occurred by way of not deducting withholding tax on dividend payments from two of its outfits, one opened in the trade entrepot of Singapore.

It is the largest private -sector participant in the power sector during the previous government's tenure, when quick-rental power deals offered a sort of indemnity to certain private power producers.

A CIC official described it as "the country's largest TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) scandal" discovered so far.

The tax demand has been unearthed by the CIC following cancellation of discriminatory tax privileges for the company not available for similar type of other power companies, officials said.

As per the CIC findings, Summit Corporation Limited failed to deduct 20-percent withholding tax while paying dividends to its shareholder Summit Power Limited.

Similarly, Summit Corporation Limited did not deduct 15-percent withholding tax while transferring dividends to Summit Power International, a Singapore-listed company.

Asked how this tax will be recovered or what actions the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will take, Dhaka Tax Zone-2 Commissioner Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui said, "We are now moving for collection from Summit. A demand notice might be issued in this regard this week."

He said the NBR chairman directed them to proceed with recovery.

The Summit management has limited scope to contradict the tax demand as it has been settled by the NBR as central authority.

However, the company can lodge appeal or go to tribunal paying 10-percent tax for lingering the process of tax recovery.

"It was a discriminatory tax privilege enjoyed by Summit as such benefits were not available for similar companies," he added.

"The revenue board is the central authority to interpret the tax evasion, so it's proved that the taxpayer has avoided or evaded payment of taxes, not an allegation," he notes about the status of the tax case.

The only way the conglomerate can now get away from the toils of tax law is to pay off the demanded taxes, the official categorically states.

Responding to FE's query, Summit Corporation Ltd has issued an official statement to clarify their position.

"We are yet to receive any information from NBR or any of tax authorities. Summit has never evaded any tax. Upon receipt of any letter from NBR or tax authorities, we will do whatever is required to be done as per the laws of Bangladesh. We always did and shall always abide by the laws."

The once-favoured corporate falls from grace after a change of guards on the corridors of power. After the interim government assumed responsibility following the August changeover, the NBR's CIC began investigating large industrial groups.

A single case from Summit Group revealed this massive tax evasion or avoidance, which taxmen describe as the tip of the iceberg in corporate cooking of books apparently to evade high-rated business taxes.

Findings from the investigation: Over a month and a half, the CIC had scrutinized all shareholder records, dividend declarations, and disbursement information of Summit Power Limited, leading to these findings.

On August 20, investigations were initiated into several major industrial groups, including Beximco, Bashundhara, Summit, Orion, and Nassa, seeking transaction details of their owners and family members. Letters were sent to banks and financial institutions to gather information.

Initially, the investigation targeted personal tax evasion. However, suspicions of higher evasion at the corporate level led to an expanded inquiry, including assigning investigation officers for each company. So far, this remains the largest instance of tax evasion uncovered.

Summit Power Limited's capital structure: Summit Power Limited has a paid-up capital of Tk 10.67 billion. Its shareholders include Summit Corporation Limited, holding 63.19 per cent, Eurohub Investments Limited (3.65 per cent), institutional investors (18.52 per cent), and general investors (14.64 per cent).

According to Section 117 of the Income Tax Act 2023, companies registered in Bangladesh are required to deduct withholding tax while paying dividends.

However, Summit Power failed to deduct 20-percent withholding tax on dividends paid to Summit Corporation. In contrast, other entities and investors were subject to deducting the taxes. From the financial years 2017-18 to 2023-24, Summit Power Limited had not deducted Tk 3.18 billion in withholding tax on dividends paid to Summit Corporation. Including penalties, this amount has now ballooned Tk 4.65 billion.

A similar aberration occurred when Summit Corporation transferred dividends to Summit Power International.

NBR decisions on tax recovery: The duo of Summit Power Limited and Summit Corporation Limited are taxpayers under the jurisdiction of NBR's Tax Zone-2, which is responsible for collecting the unpaid taxes.

Based on requests from this tax zone, the NBR revoked its previous clarification, which had exempted Summit Power from deducting withholding tax. A new clarification was issued stating that a 20-percent withholding tax must apply to dividends paid by Summit Power Limited to Summit Corporation Limited.

A 15-percent withholding tax must apply to dividends paid by Summit Corporation Limited to the non-resident company Summit Power International Limited under the Bangladesh-Singapore double-taxation -avoidance agreement.

Commissioner Mutasim Billah Faruqui explains, "When a clarification is invalidated, any benefits derived from it become void. The previously obtained exemption is now deemed unlawful, and taxes will be imposed accordingly."

Summit Power International's chairman, Aziz Khan, is adjudged as one of Singapore's wealthiest individuals. Bank accounts belonging to him and his 11 family members have been frozen by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), which issued directives to all banks and financial institutions to this effect.

Various agencies continue to investigate allegations against Summit Group and his family members. Economist Dr Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of the World Bank Bangladesh, says it might be legally ambiguous to claim as tax evasion as the privilege has been availed as per a government gazette issued by the NBR.

"It can be said as tax evasion. It is horizontally discriminatory but they have legalized it through clarification. Similar companies were not entitled for the benefit," he added.

"It is clear that the deal has been signed through corruption or underhand dealings and it must be investigated why such discriminatory clarification has been issued," he added.​

 

[Saif]

New ACC chief discloses his wealth, income and liabilities

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen on Sunday revealed his assets and liabilities to the media. He shared his income and expenditure and asset details with the media at the views-exchange programme between the new commission members and media professionals at i

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

New ACC chief discloses his wealth, income and liabilities
UNB
Published :
Dec 22, 2024 21:11
Updated :
Dec 22, 2024 21:11

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen on Sunday revealed his assets and liabilities to the media.

He shared his income and expenditure and asset details with the media at the views-exchange programme between the new commission members and media professionals at its headquarters in the city.

The ACC Chairman said that he has formally submitted his assets and liabilities details to the ACC Reform Commission while other commissioners will submit their assets and liabilities details.

Mohammad Abdul Momen joined the office on December 11, a day after being appointed. On that day, he had announced that he would disclose his movable and immovable assets and income and expenditure accounts within seven days.

On that day, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) called on the new ACC Chairman and Commissioners to disclose their income and wealth statements for the sake of transparency.

Revealing his assets, the ACC Chairman said that he has an apartment of 1,500 square feet, consisting of two 750 square feet apartments in Basila. He is in the process of acquiring another 700 square feet there.

"I have a vacant land with my wife in Purbachal American City, five kathas. I was a member of the BCS administration committee. There is 10 kathas of land there for eight members. My share will be 1.25 kathas. I paid money in 2007, but I have not received possession yet," he said.

He also said that he had deposited TK75000 for a plot in RAJUK. Till date, there has been no settlement of it. For whatever reason, the government did not give it to me.

"I will apply again. Apart from this, I do not have any other immovable assets," he clarified.

Regarding movable assets, the ACC chairman said, there are 25 self-contained books of different sizes. There are many expensive books. There are furniture and electronic equipment, including things worth five lakh taka. There

He said he received interest from a savings certificate of five years of Tk 3.0 million and a savings certificate of Tk 2.0 lakh taka every three months. "I have not withdrawn my GPF money, there is Tk 1.7 million there," he added.

Telling about his source of income, he said, my income from work - the sale proceeds of inherited assets.

"I teach, lecture, write. I bought a land outside the embankment five and a half centuries ago, and I will get some money by selling it," he shared.

He claimed his working life is long. "I started earning since my student days. When I leave this job, you will calculate how much this wealth has increased, how much it has decreased," he also said.

The ACC Chairman said the political changeover we are witnessing in Bangladesh since August 5 is unique in world history, as demonstrated by the fact that the Prime Minister fled, and at the same time the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram has also fled.

Saying that corruption is rampant in the state, he said public awareness needs to be created on this issue.

He also emphasised active engagement and asked the media to play a role in this regard.

ACC Commissioner Commissioner (Inquiry) Mian Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi said ACC is working with only half its designated manpower.

"We will investigate freely. Where there will be no bias. We are committed to the nation," he said.

ACC Commissioner (Investigation) Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid said ACC's professional base is very strong. Even after 42 days of non-commission, ACC officers and employees have worked tirelessly.

"ACC will not enslave any people in the world," he added.​

 

[Saif]

Embezzlement found in 21 ICT projects

An interim government review committee has found proof of embezzlement in 21 projects taken by the Information and Communication Technology Division during the Awami League regime...

www.newagebd.net

Embezzlement found in 21 ICT projects
Taufiq Hossain Mobin 25 December, 2024, 00:07

Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Sajeeb Wazed Joy. | UNB file photo

An interim government review committee has found proof of embezzlement in 21 projects taken by the Information and Communication Technology Division during the Awami League regime which was ousted on August 5 through a student-led mass uprising.

Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, former ICT adviser to the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and Junaid Ahmed Palak, former state minister for the ICT, used to share money embezzled in the name of hiring manpower for projects under the division, the committee found.

The committee also sees a scope for saving about Tk 7,000 crore by cutting unnecessary components in these projects taken by the division.

ICT secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury on Tuesday made the statements at a press conference at the office of the ICT Division in the capital Dhaka while disclosing the findings of the committee.

The review committee was formed following an office order issued by the ICT Division on August 28 to review the completed and the under implementation projects taken by the division during the past 15 years of Awami League rule.

The 12-member committee headed by additional secretary for planning and development wing Mahbubur Rahman submitted the investigation report to the interim government, said Shish Haider.

‘Not only the political leadership, but also the bureaucrats in charge at that time are responsible for the corruption in such projects,’ he added.

‘Projects with irregularities will be stopped, and their contracts will be cancelled if needed. Those who are responsible for corruption in the ICT department’s purchases will be identified and punished from the forthcoming January,’ Shish Haider said.

The estimated costs of these projects were Tk 18,600 crore, said ICT Division officials.

The committee identified numerous unnecessary, overpriced and unjustified projects approved by the previous administration.

Review committee head Mahbubur Rahman told New Age that many of the unnecessary projects and components had already been slashed by the division during the investigation period.

‘Many hi-tech parks and IT training centres were built on agricultural land at the district and upazila levels to fulfil the desires of Awami League leaders,’ he said.

‘Many of these projects in different districts and upazilas are not useful to anyone. Several thousand crore taka has already been wasted on these facilities. We see no reason for keeping them,’ Mahbubur said.

He mentioned that a project was taken to make a cinema named ‘Khoka’ with a cost of Tk 16 crore.

‘This is not even the ICT Division’s area of work, numerous projects such as this were taken by the previous administration,’ Mahbubur said.

The review committee in its report recommended several key steps to improve project implementation.

It suggested, among others, removing unnecessary activities, making facilities permanent before project completion, clearly defining the roles of the Bangladesh Computer Council, Hi-Tech Park Authority and ICT Division, and resolving audit issues promptly.​

 

[Saif]

ACC to probe Padma Bridge, Novo Theatre graft cases again

The Anti-Corruption Commission has started proceeding with its bid to reinvestigate four years-old cases over conspiracies to commit corruption in the Padma Bridge contract awarding and corruption in...

www.newagebd.net

ACC to probe Padma Bridge, Novo Theatre graft cases again
Staff Correspondent 25 December, 2024, 00:17

The Anti-Corruption Commission has started proceeding with its bid to reinvestigate four years-old cases over conspiracies to commit corruption in the Padma Bridge contract awarding and corruption in building the Bangabandhu Novo Theatre planetarium.

‘We are scrutinising all the records and papers around the corruption cases, and we will take a decision regarding conducting further investigation within the shortest time,’ said a commission director general, preferring anonymity, on Tuesday.

According to the documents of the cases, on March 27, 2002, the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption filed three cases with the Tejgaon police, accusing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and some former ministers of commiting corruption and irregularities in dealing with the project for building the Bangabandhu Novo Theatre planetarium.

The charges included unduly spending enormous amounts on hiring consultants for the project, purchasing machinery, and the planetarium construction work.

But the High Court on March 4, 2010, quashed all the proceedings against Sheikh Hasina, then prime minister, in all the three corruption cases.

The court also declared illegal both the filing and proceedings of the cases.

In a high-profile graft scandal, potential Padma Bridge financier World Bank in 2012 brought allegations of ‘conspiracy for corruption’ leading the then Sheikh Hasina-led government to launch an investigation.

The Anti-Corruption Commission after inquiries, filed a case of ‘conspiracy for corruption in the Padma Bridge project’ on December 17, 2012 against seven individuals: former Bridges Division secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Bridge Authority superintendent engineer Kazi Mohammad Ferdous, Roads and Highways executive engineer Riaz Ahmad Jaber, Engineering Planners Consultant Ltd’s deputy managing director Mohammad Mostafa, director of international projects wing at the SNC-Lavalin company Mohammed Ismail, and the firm’s former vice presidents Ramesh Saha and Kevin Wallace.

The commission in its inquiry phase of the corruption allegations also included then communications minister Syed Abul Hossain and then state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury as suspects. But when the commission filed the case later, the two names were not included as accused.

The allegations, however, led minister Abul Hossain to resign, and state minister Mosharraf Hossain to be put on forced leave.

But on September 14, 2014, the ACC submitted a final report to the court recommending relieving of all the seven accused, saying that the charges could not be proved during the probe.

The World Bank, however, eventually pulled out of the project as the financier to lend US$1.2 billion.

On Tuesday, the anti-corruption agency also sent a letter to the Chief Adviser’s Office, seeking documents on eight other projects that were taken during the tenure of now ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Agency deputy director Md Salahuddin sent the letter, requesting the documents to conduct inquiries against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members over allegations of embezzling and misuse of Tk 21,000 crore in the eight projects.

It also requested the Chief Adviser’s Office to provide the information by January 7, said ACC deputy director Aktarul Islam.

According to the letter, Hasina and others are under probe for alleged abuse of power and corruption during the implementation of the eight projects—the Mirsharai Economic Zone, Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project, Ashrayan Project-2, BEPZA Economic Zone, Mirsharai First Phase, water treatment and deep tube well installation at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial City, two modern fire stations in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial City and the Indian Economic Zone in Mirsharai as well as the development of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial City.

Earlier, the agency sent letter to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, summoning all the documents related to the local and international transactions of Sheikh Hasina and her family members.

It also sent letters to the Election Commission Office and the Immigration and Passport Office, seeking their personal documents.

A five-member team, formed on December 18, led by ACC deputy director Md Salahuddin is tasked with the probe into the graft allegations against them.

The ACC has started the inquiry over allegations of corruption worth Tk 80,000 crore against Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddique in nine projects undertaken between 2009 and 2023, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

Apart from this, on December 22, the anti-graft body also started another inquiry against Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy over allegations of laundering $300 million.​

 

[Saif]

Corruption behind shrinking overseas labour market

Corruption, irregularities, and fraud have caused a significant contraction in Bangladesh’s labour market for migrant workers, according to a report by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).

www.thedailystar.net

Corruption behind shrinking overseas labour market
Says RMMRU report

Corruption, irregularities, and fraud have caused a significant contraction in Bangladesh's labour market for migrant workers, according to a report by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).

The report reveals that over 97 percent of Bangladeshi migrant workers have been sent to just 10 countries in the last five years.

This year, more than 90 percent of the workers were employed in six countries, with Saudi Arabia receiving over 60 percent of the total.

Malaysia and Qatar were also identified as major destinations.

However, the report highlights a worrying trend concerning female migrant workers.

The number of women migrating has sharply decreased this year, with only 54,696 female migrant workers going abroad.

This marks a 22 percent decline compared to the previous year.

Overall, the total number of migrant workers has fallen, with 906,355 leaving Bangladesh in 2024, a 30.8 percent drop from 1,305,453 in 2023.

Despite this, remittance inflows have seen a notable increase.

It is estimated that remittances in 2024 will total USD 26.4 billion, representing a 32.5 percent rise from the previous year.

Prof Tasneem Siddiqui, founding chair of RMMRU, presented the findings in a briefing at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

She attributed the shrinking labour market to systemic corruption and irregularities.

"In 2021, Malaysia reopened its labour market under a syndicate, but it was closed again in May 2024. This syndicate, led by Datuk Seri Aminul Islam and his Bangladeshi associate Ruhul Amin, embezzled USD 2 billion, which increased migration costs and left many workers stranded or forced to return home," she explained.

Prof Tasneem also said migration to several countries remained suspended in 2024, including Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, and the Maldives.

Additionally, migration to Italy and Serbia was halted due to the use of fake documents.

The report further pointed out that while migration slowed during the mass uprisings and economic instability, it has regained momentum in recent months.

In response to the challenges, Prof Tasneem recommended that the interim government prioritise good governance in the migration sector.

She called for the establishment of a dedicated migration commission, an increase in budget allocations, and the formulation of effective policies to address international migration challenges.

She also stressed the need for policy reforms, improved skills development for workers, and the creation of safe employment opportunities for women.

Transparency in the recruitment process and the strengthening of training centres were also emphasised as key to improving the migration system.​

 

[Saif]

HSIA 3rd terminal project: ACC probe begins over Tk 4,000cr embezzlement

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Sunday decided to conduct an inquiry against project director AKM Maksudul Islam and others involved over allegations of corruption and embezzlement of Tk 4,000 crore...

www.newagebd.net

HSIA 3rd terminal project: ACC probe begins over Tk 4,000cr embezzlement
Staff Correspondent 30 December, 2024, 01:08

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Sunday decided to conduct an inquiry against project director AKM Maksudul Islam and others involved over allegations of corruption and embezzlement of Tk 4,000 crore in the construction of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The decision for the inquiry came at a meeting held at the commission’s Segun Bagicha headquarters in the capital, said its director general for prevention Md Akhtar Hossain.

‘We have decided to start an inquiry into the allegations that AKM Maksudul Islam, the project director of HSIA’s third terminal, and others embezzled Tk 4,000 crore from the project through abuse of power, widespread irregularities, corruption and fraud.’

The allegations also include inflating the project cost from an estimated Tk 7,000 crore to Tk 22,000 crore through fraud and irregularities; purchasing equipment locally but claiming them as imports to misappropriate funds; embezzling Tk 900 crore through mismanagement in soil testing and design alteration; and selling three major contracts to contractors for commission.

Other allegations include installing low-quality equipment imported from China and Korea although tender documents mention European-standard equipment; widespread irregularities in ceiling works; spending of Tk 12 crore on unnecessary tasks to appease former prime minister Sheikh Hasina; and forming a ‘syndicate’ to embezzle project money.

When asked whether Sheikh Hasina was involved in the corruption, Aktar Hossain said, ‘Everyone who is found involved in the inquiry will be brought to justice.’

‘The ACC is committed to uncovering the truth behind these allegations and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing,’ he added.

On October 7, 2023, the then prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, inaugurated the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

On December 28, 2019, ADC, a consortium of Mitsubishi Corporation, Fujita Corporation and Samsung C&T Corporation, began the construction of the third terminal.

The government contributed Tk 5,000 crore to the cost with the rest of the amount coming from the Japan International Cooperation Agency as loans.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh on various occasions said that passengers would be able to use the third terminal from October this year, but it has yet to start its full operation.​

 

[Saif]

Former ACC commissioner being investigated over illegal assets, smuggling funds

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation against its former commissioner Jahurul Haque for alleged irregularities in acquiring a RAJUK plot, laundering money, and illegally obtaining assets in the BDR killings case. Two senior ACC officials confirmed the decision on Thur

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Former ACC commissioner being investigated over illegal assets, smuggling funds
Published :
Dec 29, 2024 23:06
Updated :
Dec 29, 2024 23:06

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation against its former commissioner Jahurul Haque for alleged irregularities in acquiring a RAJUK plot, laundering money, and illegally obtaining assets in the BDR killings case.

Two senior ACC officials confirmed the decision on Thursday.

One of them told bdnews24.com, "The commission has decided to investigate him for abusing his power to acquire assets beyond his known income."

This marks the first time an ACC commissioner, current or former, faces such charges.

The home ministry has revoked Jahurul's passport and barred him from leaving the country.

Jahurul, a retired district and sessions judge, served as a judge in the BDR killings case.

He later served as BTRC commissioner and chairman before joining the ACC as commissioner in 2021.

He resigned on Oct 30 following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.

ALLEGED PLOT VIOLATIONS

Jahurul and his wife, Masuma Begum, allegedly violated rules by obtaining two separate five-katha plots in RAJUK’s Purbachal New Town project.

They later surrendered these plots, claimed to be landless, and secured a 10-katha plot "suitable for building a house".

This allocation contradicts RAJUK's policy, which prohibits individuals with existing plots in Dhaka from obtaining new ones.

RAJUK documents show that Jahurul and Masuma possessed and registered their respective plots between 2013 and 2014.

In 2022, Jahurul applied for a 10-katha plot, saying he and his wife had no objection to surrendering their previous plots.

His request was approved at a RAJUK board meeting in December 2022.

RAJUK's plot allocation rules, amended in 2009, disallow dual ownership by couples and require the surrender of one plot.

While some couples complied, Jahurul's case avoided cancellation.

Responding to allegations in November, Jahurul said: "There was no such rule when we received the plots.

“Later, we surrendered them, claimed to be landless, and requested a 10-katha plot. The allocation followed proper procedures."

When asked about irregularities in the case, a long-serving RAJUK official told bdnews24.com: "The new rules came into effect in 2024.

“The ACC commissioner had already received two plots before this, so the new rules do not apply to him. His acquisition of two plots falls outside these regulations."​