JS panel seeks action over past financial irregularities

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings has recommended identifying and taking legal action against those involved in financial irregularities during the previous Awami League government's tenure, following scrutiny of audit reports on the Chattogram and Mongla port authorities.
The recommendation came at the committee’s eighth meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday, chaired by Chief Whip and committee chairman Nurul Islam Moni.
The committee reviewed compliance audit reports on the Chattogram Port Authority’s accounts for the 2020-21 financial year and those of the Mongla Port Authority. It also examined pending audit objections involving recovery, adjustment, write-off, waiver, regularisation and retrospective approval.
Expressing concern over financial irregularities in the two port authorities, the committee discussed their fixed deposit receipt (FDR) investments in commercial banks, particularly troubled private banks. It expressed strong dissatisfaction over funds remaining unwithdrawn after maturity and deposits exceeding prescribed limits in violation of existing policies.
The committee recommended holding discussions with the banks concerned and taking legal and departmental action against those responsible. It also asked the authorities to report on the measures taken and recommended depositing all future funds of the port authorities in government banks.
The committee also emphasised using international platforms and artificial intelligence-based technology to detect over-invoicing and under-invoicing in import and export activities. It recommended introducing e-billing and e-payment systems to automate duty payments and speed up cargo clearance.
Other issues discussed included dredging at Mongla, Payra and Chattogram ports to ensure the required navigational depth, and the construction of container terminals.
The committee also raised audit objections over the irregular payment of special incentive bonuses to ministry and organisational officials and employees from port authority funds. It recommended legal and departmental action against those responsible for such payments and the misuse of public money.