JS body to investigate 'graft' in power sector
A parliamentary body yesterday formed a sub-committee to investigate alleged widespread corruption in power and energy sector during the present government.
Headed by ruling Awami League lawmaker M Ishrafil Alam, the three-member sub-committee was asked to submit its report as soon as possible before the parliamentary standing committee on the power and energy ministry.
The two other members of the panel are AL lawmaker Fazle Noor Taposh and State Minister for Industries Omar Faruk Chowdhury.
In the meeting, Shubid Ali Bhuiyan, chief of the parliamentary watchdog, raised the issue of widespread anomalies occurring in the power and energy sectors, said the meeting sources.
In this regard, Shubid showed recent reports published in at least 10 newspapers covering corruption committed by lawmakers in power sector, the sources said after the meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
He also reacted when State Minister for Power and Energy Muhammad Enamul Huq tried to defend him regarding corruption allegations of his ministry.
“Don't take these allegations personally. We are not talking about any individual, we are speaking about corruption allegations in the ministry as a whole,†the sources quoted Shubid Ali as saying.
“You [the state minister] may not involve in corruption, maybe officials of lower ranks are engaged. But we want to identify all these corruptions through investigation of the committee,†said the committee chief.
In the meeting, Shubid also mentioned his personal experience of giving bribe to officials concerned while getting electricity connection in his residence.
Abdul Matin Khasru, Mohammad Israfil Alam and Omar Faruk Chowdhury, all of whom are the committee's members, also attended the meeting held with Shubid in the chair, reports UNB.
They also discussed the closed and under-repair power plants in the meeting where the immediate and commercial launch of the under-construction power plants, especially the big ones, was suggested.
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