Gold crest ‘fraud’ probe on

A parliamentary committee will investigate allegations of less gold being used in the crests to honour foreign friends of Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 April 2014, 04:42 PM
Updated : 24 April 2014, 04:42 PM

A three-strong sub-committee was formed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on Thursday.

Md Afsarul Amin will lead the investigating panel, the Parliament Secretariat said in a media statement.

Nearly 250 foreign nationals were awarded crests, shawls and certificates in seven phases last year for their contribution to Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.

A national daily in a report on Apr 6 said the crests had lesser gold than standard. It also said brass, copper and zinc alloy were used instead of silver.

Independent MP Rustom Ali Farazi brought it up in Parliament on Apr 8 and demanded the matter be probed independently.

The parliamentary committee at its Thursday meeting recommended the making of a short documentary about Liberation War ideals, to be aired in all cinemas before the start of a movie.

They also recommended that a single design be used to mark graves of freedom fighters across the country.

Other proposals include a 100-mark question on the Liberation War in Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations, and questions worth 20 marks in other tests.

It also advised the ministry to present a complete proposal to the education ministry to get all schools and madrasas to hoist the national flag and sing the anthem.