Writ petition filed over irregularities

A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive on the government to form a judicial committee to inquire into the allegation of purchasing furniture and other household products for officials and employees of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

Barrister Sayedul Haque Suman submitted the petition, also praying to the HC to issue a rule asking the government to explain why the failure of the officials concerned to act in good faith in purchasing the products should not be declared illegal.

He said in the petition that excessive amount of money has reportedly been spent for purchasing furniture, pillows, and other items for the officials and employees of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The salaries fixed for them are also unusual.

According to some media reports, a pillow was purchased at Tk 5,957 and the cost for taking it up to the flat has been fixed at Tk 760 and its project director’s monthly salary has been fixed at Tk 4.96 lakh at Green City, a residential project for the officials and employees of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

The lawyer said in the petition that if housing and public works officials are responsible for the irregularities, then that ministry’s inquiry into the allegation will be biased.

Barrister Suman told The Daily Star that the HC bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Razik-Al-Jalil will hold hearing on the petition today.