‘Corruption in purchasing books for Bangabandhu Corner at schools’: Probe body formed

A parliamentary watchdog today formed a sub-committee to investigate the alleged corruption in purchasing books for setting up Bangabandhu Corner at all government primary schools.

The parliamentary standing committee on primary and mass education has asked the four-member sub-committee -- headed by Awami League MP Nazrul Islam Babu from Narayanganj-2 -- to submit its report within one month.

Three other members of the sub-committee are: AL MP Ali Azam from Bhola-2, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal MP Shirin Akhter from Feni-1 and BNP MP Mosharraf Hossain from Bogura-4.

At the beginning of the meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, a number of MPs including Shirin Akhtar and Mosharraf Hossain mentioned the alleged irregularities in purchasing books for Bangabandhu Corner at around 65,000 primary schools across the country.

They demanded that the parliamentary body form an investigation committee to enquire into the matter and identify persons involved in the corruption. Other members of the committee also supported the proposal, sources at the meeting said.

AL MP Mostafizur Rahman, chief of the parliamentary watchdog, then formed the sub-committee to enquire into the alleged corruption.

Talking to The Daily Star over phone, Mostafizur Rahman said Tk 150 crore was allocated to purchase 30 different books on Bangabandhu to set up Bangabandhu Corner at all government primary schools.

"Different media outlets recently reported that widespread corruption has taken place in purchasing of those books. It was reported that those books were purchased at high prices compared to their original prices. We have asked the sub-committee to enquire and reveal the truth," added Mostafizur.

He said the standing committee has also asked secretary to the primary and mass education ministry to submit a detailed report on the purchasing process before the committee's next meeting.

Mostafizur Rahman said allegations have also been raised that copyright act has been violated while reprinting of two books on Bangabandhu.

Allegations were raised against a senior reporter of a private television channel that he has violated the copyright act while re-printing and delivering of those two books for Bangabandhu Corner.