PM rejects charges of corruption

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina outrightly rejected the allegations of corruption in buying Mig-29 for airforce and frigates for navy, reports UNB.

Replying to a question during the PM question time in Parliament, she said the Parliament Standing Committee on Defence Ministry found no evidence of corruption after threadbare discussions on the purchase of the Mig-29s and frigates.

"I can firmly say the procedure of purchasing Mig-29 was fair and extremely transparent," the Prime Minister told the House.

She said in 1994 when Bangladesh Biman had bought two Airbuses at a cost of 150 million US dollars (75 million US dollars each), the cost of one Mig-29 (basic aircraft) was 11 million dollars. The government thinks that the price of Mig was quite reasonable compared to the competitive market.

Hasina said the airforce had given open and detailed statement to newspapers about the purchase of Mig-29s and the answers to direct questions from newsmen were published.

The Prime Minister said there was no instance in the past of giving reply to allegations relating to the Armed Forces so transparently. The allegations were not true, she said.

Hasina said BNP MP Maj (retd) Akhteruzzaman filed a writ petition in the High Court. Since he was not provided with documents relating to the purchase of the Mig-29s, he filed a case in the court complaining that his privilege has been curtailed.

The High Court, Hasina said, has no injunction on the delivery of the Migs, the injunction was only on the repayment of installments, which is being followed. She said the writ petition awaits hearing. As the matter is subjudice she said she does not want to make any comment on it.

The Prime Minister also told the House that there were allegations of corruption in buying Air buses for Bangladesh Biman during the BNP government.

She said the Bureau of Anti-Corruption filed a case with Motijheel thana against corruption in buying Airbuses. Hasina said the Biman had to repay 150 million US dollars for two Airbuses.

The Prime Minister said legal measures are underway and the case of corruption is under investigation.