Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh recently unearthed financial irregularities in various agencies under the control of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, involving nearly Tk 100 million in the fiscal year (FY) 2011-12, a CAG official said.
Of the total amount, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) officials involved with the construction of the Fulchhari Tea Garden Parjatan Complex at Srimangal of Moulvibazar have been asked to refund Tk 1.83 million for irregularities in bidding process and making payment to the contractor.
In a comment on the irregularities in the Fulchhari Tea Garden Complex, a primary report of CAG said according to the 8 conditions of the work order, no bill can be paid to any contractor amounting below Tk 4.0 million. M/s QH Masud and Company submitted a bill amounting to Tk 2.04 million as 1st instalment. The BPC paid the contractor Tk 1.83 million by slashing 10 per cent deposit money violating the financial discipline.
Besides, the CAG asked Bangladesh Services Limited (BSL) to collect more than Tk 0.78 million from the officials involved in the irregular payment of income tax of the managing director and secretary by violating rules. The audit objection was raised in 2011 but it was not resolved.
The government had incurred a revenue loss of Tk 10.95 million as BSL did not fix the rent of the BSL Residential Complex at Mirpur (NAM Flat) for their staffs and failed to collect the amount. The audit report has asked BSL to inform its office about the fixation of the minimum rent and collection process. Although the audit objection was raised in 2011, no step has been taken till date in this regard, said the report.
The audit report also said there was a revenue loss to the government amounting to Tk 16.82 million as Pan Pacific Sonargaoon Hotel did not deposit the source tax on the service charge of its employees in the government exchequer.
Irregular expenses of Tk 31.97 million also took place at Joy Restaurant of Parjatan at Savar as the restaurant did not invite any tender or quotation to purchase
raw materials following the instruction and PPR of the ministry.
The CAG report said there was a revenue loss of Tk 15.40 million as Ruposhi Bangla Hotel did not deposit the source tax on the service charge in the government exchequer.
It has become uncertain to realise Tk 23.58 million from five lessees of various BPC commercial entities including Madhabkunda Restaurant, cottage, bar, and auditorium in Rangamati, children's amusement park in Sylhet, Saikat Bar and Motel in Chittagong, and Motel Laboni in Cox's Bazar.
When asked to comment on the audit objections relevant to the organisation, no comment was available from the BPC.
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