ACC launches probe into recruitment, tender irregularities

FE REPORT

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations of irregularities in recruitment of outsourced employees, anomalies in tender process, and embezzlement through illegal sales of materials at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant.

ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain confirmed the development at his office in the capital on Monday. He said the ACC enforcement team found evidence supporting the allegations, leading to the decision to launch a formal inquiry.

On June 27, the ACC team carried out a raid at the Rampal plant office in Bagerhat to investigate complaints of looting of machinery, wage discrimination between Bangladeshi and Indian employees, and several other allegations.

ACC Assistant Director of Bagerhat District Office Md Saidur Rahman led the drive.

He stated that preliminary evidence regarding wage discrimination between the workers of two countries, irregularities in tax exemptions, and malpractice in coal procurement was found. Relevant documents were collected, which would be forwarded to the ACC headquarters.

The Rampal plant was initiated as a joint venture between India and Bangladesh in 2010. A power purchase agreement was signed between BIFPCL and BPDB in 2013. Land acquisition, land filling, and road construction for the project began that year. The first unit of the power plant began commercial production on December 23, 2022.

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