No one involved in misuse of public funds, corruption should escape accountability

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts has called for action against anyone involved in corruption and misuse of public funds, stressing that no one should be granted impunity.

The committee made the remarks at its eighth meeting, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on November 8, under the chairmanship of Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni.

Committee members and whips Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu and Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, along with Mosammat Tahsina Rushdir, Khondaker Abu Ashfaq and Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed the compliance audit reports on the accounts of the Chattogram Port Authority for the 2020–21 financial year (Report No. 28/2023) and the Mongla Port Authority (Report No. 21/2022).

It also examined pending audit objections involving the two port authorities under the Ministry of Shipping, including those awaiting settlement through recovery, adjustment, write-off, waiver, regularisation and retrospective approval. The committee reviewed objections awaiting final settlement following recommendations from the Comptroller and Auditor General, as well as progress in implementing decisions taken at previous meetings.

The committee recommended identifying those involved in financial irregularities during the previous government and taking necessary legal and administrative action against them. It also warned officials and employees that corruption and irregularities would not be tolerated under the current government.

The meeting stressed the use of international platforms and artificial intelligence-based technology to prevent over-invoicing and under-invoicing in import and export activities. It recommended introducing automated customs payments through e-billing and e-payment systems to facilitate faster cargo clearance and make port services more transparent and efficient.

The committee also expressed serious concern over the port authorities' fixed deposit receipt (FDR) investments in various commercial banks, particularly troubled and private banks. It discussed cases in which funds were not withdrawn after maturity and investments exceeded policy limits.

It recommended effective discussions with the banks concerned, necessary legal action and departmental measures against those responsible. The committee also suggested that all future funds of the port authorities be deposited in state-owned banks.

The meeting recommended resolving issues involving auctionable containers and vehicles lying at Chattogram Port for a long time by December 2026. It also called for identifying those involved in taking loaded containers out of the port under the guise of empty containers and container theft, and taking administrative action against them. The committee asked officials to report progress at its next meeting.

Dredging activities at Mongla, Payra and Chattogram ports were also discussed, including efforts to achieve the required draft and navigability, construction of container terminals and proper use of project funds. The committee recommended independent investigations to identify irregularities and take steps to settle related audit objections.

The committee also discussed irregular payments of special incentive bonuses from port authority funds to officials and employees of the ministry and various agencies. It recommended legal and departmental action against those responsible for such financial irregularities and misuse of public money.

The Comptroller General of Accounts, the shipping ministry secretary, the chairman and secretary of the National Board of Revenue, port chairmen and commissioners, and officials from the ministry, Parliament Secretariat and the Chattogram and Mongla port authorities attended the meeting.

sks