JS body forms 3 sub-committees to probe various irregularities in roads and highways sector

A parliamentary body today formed three separate sub-committees to investigate three different issues including finding out irregularities and corruption in realising toll from all bridges across the country including Dhaleswari River.

The parliamentary standing committee on Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and came up with the decision at its meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The parliamentary watchdog made Enamul Haque, a ruling Awami League MP from Rajshahi-4, the convener of two-member sub-committee to investigate irregularities in getting toll from all bridges in the country.

The other member of the committee is Jatiya Party MP Abu Hossain Babla from Dhaka-7. The committee was asked to submit its report before the main committee within the next three months.

Talking to The Daily Star, Enamul Haque said earlier the parliamentary body had asked the Road Transport ministry to submit a report before the Jatiya Sangsad body on alleged irregularities in realising toll from the bridges all over the country.

"The ministry submitted their report. But the standing committee didn't accept it due to various loopholes in the ministry's investigation," added Enamul.

That's why the parliamentary committee yesterday formed a sub-committee to thoroughly investigate the matter, he added.

Another two-member sub-committee was formed on investigating the allegations of awarding multiple tenders to the same companies by the road transport and bridge department.

AL MP Shaikh Salahuddin from Khulna-2 was made convener of the committee while Salim Uddin Tarafdar from Naogaon-3 is another member of the sub-committee.

The sub-committee was asked to submit its report before the main committee within the next two months.

The third sub-committee headed by Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq, lawmaker from Kishoreganj-4 was asked to investigate the alleged irregularities in providing lease and management of different resorts, Ananda park, picnic spots, land and other establishments situated near the Bangabandhu Bridge area.

Another ruling AL MP Abu Zahir from Habiganj-3 is the lone member of the sub-committee. This committee was asked to submit its report before the main committee within next two months. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader joined the meeting virtually.