‘Foreign trip to purchase bedsheets for police is ridiculous, embarrassing’

Bangladesh Police is set to purchase one lakh bedsheets from Germany, along with two pillow covers for each, for its members.

In this regard, Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed is expected to visit Germany some time this month to inspect the quality of the said bedsheets and pillow covers before they are shipped out.

The home ministry on February 7 issued an order sanctioning nine days for the IGP and two other officials to participate in the factory acceptance test in Germany.

The order was signed by the ministry's Deputy Secretary Mahbubul Alam Majumder.

The two other officials are Md Firoz Uddin Khalifa, deputy secretary of the public security division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Mohammad Masud Alam, a superintendent of police at the Police Headquarters.

The home ministry order further stated that the manufacturer will bear the travel cost of the officials and no government fund will be spent.

When contacted for remarks on this, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "Most of the foreign trips relating to public procurement are given validity showing various reasons. But this foreign tour -- to attend factory acceptance test for bedsheets and pillow covers -- led by the police chief along with high-ups is ridiculous and embarrassing for the delegation."

He also said, "It is understood that top officials personally need to verify the quality of the product. But for this reason, why do they need to go on an official visit for more than a week? It can be verified through courier service."

"The matter of conflict of interest is equally important. The reason being that the supplier will bear the cost of the trip, which is against the rules of any government purchase. Another confusing issue is why was the decision taken to procure such products from a country like Germany. Have such products been sought from our domestic suppliers, who are quite capable of meeting international standards?" -- he asked.

The Daily Star contacted three former IGPs for their comments on this issue. One of them did not receive the call. Another did not agree to talk on this.

One of them, on condition of anonymity, said, "Procurement of such products is possible in this country." He refused to say anything else.

When contacted, Mokhlesur Rahman, former additional IGP, said, "They are not supposed to go out of the country just for bedsheets and pillow covers. There may be other issues related to this."

When contacted, the home ministry's former additional secretary did not agree to speak on the matter.

Meanwhile, Public Security Division's Senior Secretary Md Akhter Hossain said, "I will talk to the IGP regarding this. I'm newly appointed so I don't understand the matter yet."

According to the home ministry's website, Akhter Hossain joined the division as senior secretary on January 12 this year.