Parliamentary panel seeks answers over repeated technical glitches in PM’s aircraft

A parliamentary committee has asked the concerned government agencies to explain the causes and factors behind the repeated technical glitches that have affected the aircrafts carrying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The committee has also expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged irregularities in the procurement of aircraft and equipment by Bangladesh Biman Airlines and the potential revenue losses caused by weaknesses in the IT setup.

The concerns were raised and explanations sought at a meeting of the committee on government organisations, chaired by committee’s President and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, held at the Parliament on Monday.

In the meeting, the concerned authorities were instructed to prepare a specific and written explanation, supported with the necessary evidence, on the technical glitches in the PM’s aircraft. The report and relevant evidences have to be submitted in the next meeting of the committee, the members decided.

The committee also discussed the financial management at the Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), their recent operational activities, and audit complaints raised over different periods of time.

The committee members and lawmakers stressed preventing misuse and waste of public funds, speedy disposal of long-pending audit complaints, and increasing transparency in the operations of the two organisations.

They also discussed ensuring accountability for the high-ranking officials and executive members of the two organisations.