The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Saturday expressed shock and disappointment as the local airlines have hiked their ticket prices three to four times taking advantage of the higher demand from the Eid holiday makers.
Terming it an 'atrocious extortion', TIB has demanded justice and accountability for the sake of public interest and corporate integrity.
"We have been deeply shocked and disappointed to see the media report that some airlines of Bangladesh have been brazenly involved in an unprecedentedly atrocious act of extortion taking advantage of the higher demand for travels during the Eid holidays," TIB Executive Director (ED) Dr Iftekharuzzaman said.
This, he said, is an extremely shameful example of non-compliance with national
and international standards which is unthinkable for outfits involved in airlines business, and never experienced by any country befitting civilised corporate behaviour.
The TIB ED said, "If these airlines represented responsible and prudent corporate practice they could have planned to make special arrangements to temporarily expand their fleet of aircraft and/or increase number of flights to cope with the increasing demand, and thereby make additional profits.
But in no circumstances can they take resort to such illegal profiteering by abusing corporate power and indulging in such corrupt activities".
He called upon the relevant government authorities - especially the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) and Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) - to duly investigate the matter and bring to justice those responsible for this collusive corruption and harassment of the customers.
"Accountability must be ensured in the public interest and in order to ensure that companies need to practise minimum level of corporate honesty and integrity," TIB said in the statement.
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