Fire at Bangladesh Secretariat destroys evidence of alleged corruption within the ICT sector under the previous government. Investigation uncovered irregularities and overspending amounting to billions of taka.
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| Devastating fire at Bangladesh Secretariat destroys crucial report detailing billions of taka in ICT sector corruption. Investigation uncovered widespread irregularities and overspending. Image: BD Secretariat |
Dhaka, Bangladesh - December 30, 2024:
The original report detailing widespread corruption within Bangladesh's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has been destroyed in a devastating fire that engulfed the Bangladesh Secretariat. This crucial document, outlining irregularities in 21 projects worth 25,000 crore taka, was submitted just three days prior to the incident.
The fire, one of the most severe in the Secretariat's history, ravaged several ministries, including ICT. While the original report was lost, a copy is thankfully preserved at the ICT Tower.
The investigation, led by Additional Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, uncovered alarming discrepancies. It found that approximately 10,000 crore taka was overspent on projects overseen by former State Minister for ICT, Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
The report highlighted instances of inflated prices, unnecessary expenses, and projects outside the ICT division's purview. It also pinpointed significant wastage in land acquisition and construction projects by the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.
ICT Adviser Nahid Islam, upon receiving the report, condemned the "terrible loot and mismanagement" within the sector under the Awami League government. He emphasized the need to prevent such wasteful spending in the future.
The fire, while a tragic event, has brought to light the urgent need for transparency and accountability within the ICT sector.