Probe body rules out irregularities in parliament procurement

A probe body has found no evidence of financial irregularities in the procurement of equipment by the Jatiya Sangsad, dismissing allegations of large-scale misuse raised in media reports.

The five-member committee, formed following publication of the report, submitted its final findings to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday.

The committee was led by Whip ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan. Details of the investigation were later presented at a briefing held in the parliament building tunnel.

According to the report, media outlets claim that three camera lenses cost Tk37.41 lakh was incorrect, with the actual price being Tk3,74,100. The committee also said no payment had been made to the supplier during the investigation period, and that the specified brand name and logo were correctly found on the supplied items.

The report noted that the pricing was determined in line with the Public Procurement Rules 2025, taking into account international market rates, taxes, VAT and a reasonable profit margin.

However, the committee identified an administrative lapse: although the work order mentioned Japan as the country of origin, the supplied products were manufactured in Thailand, and no formal written approval had been taken for this change.

Sources said the procurement process had been initiated to urgently replace equipment of the parliament’s public relations wing damaged in an incident on 5 August 2024.

Earlier, allegations of excessive spending in the purchase of electronic equipment by the parliament secretariat had surfaced, with some media outlets claiming that cameras and related items were bought at prices significantly higher than market rates, sparking public discussion.

In this context, the Speaker formed the five-member committee and directed it to complete the investigation and submit its report within seven days.