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Published : 19 Apr 2026, 11:14 PM
The Parliament Secretariat has moved to investigate claims of irregularities in the procurement of cameras and other equipment following reports of excessive pricing.
Payment for the parliament procurement has been withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.
The decision was announced on Sunday in a media statement issued by Director (Public Relations) Md Monir Hossain of the Parliament Secretariat.
The statement said the move followed reports published over “Rampant plunder in parliamentary procurement” in a national daily and several online news portals.
A report published in Bangladesh Pratidin claimed that cameras, lenses, memory cards, batteries, flash units and other accessories were purchased at several times above market value.
It alleged that equipment worth Tk 5.84 million had an actual market price of less than Tk 2 million, citing sources involved.
The report also alleged that although the tender specified a particular brand, products of different brands were supplied in some cases.
It further claimed that while delivery was scheduled within 30 days, the equipment was handed over in just 19 days.
Saf Traders, the supplier company, defended the pricing.
General Manager Mirajul Islam told Bangladesh Pratidin that higher costs were due to premium branded goods as well as VAT and taxes.
The report also quoted Senior Assistant Secretary Md Mahidul Haque, who signed the procurement order, as saying that a committee had approved the purchase.
“I am new to the [Parliament] Secretariat and had to sign due to my official position. The process was completed before I joined,” he was quoted as saying.
The publication noted that former Parliament Secretary Kaniz Moula could not be reached for comment.
Officials said the inquiry committee will review all aspects of the procurement process before any payment is released.
