ACC detects illegal gas supply to 500 cos by Titas

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has provided gas connections to about 500 companies over the last four years violating rules, according to an inquiry conducted by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).
 "During the inquiry, I've detected gas connections provided by Titas to about 500 companies violating rules," ACC deputy director Ahsan Ali who is currently conducting a probe into the graft allegations against Titas Gas told UNB Friday.
He said the ACC inquiry has also unearthed that the top officials of the company were involved in the graft and they have given gas connections to the private companies taking bribe.
 "Allegations are there that Titas Gas officials took Tk 20 million (2 crore) in bribe from each of the companies. You think how much money they've made illegally," Ahsan added.
He said nearly 15 top officials of Petrobanga subsidiaries were interrogated during the probe into the graft allegation. "I've already questioned Titas Gas managing director (MD) Engr M Nowshad Islam and Bapex MD M Abdul Baki in connection with the graft allegations," he said.
On April 2 last, the ACC also quizzed former MD of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited Abdul Aziz, former director (operations) Khalid Hasan and general managers Engr Mujibul Haque and Engr Fuad-ul-Islam.
On March 10, the ACC launched a probe into the graft allegation against Petrobangla chairman Prof Dr M Hossain Monsur and 13 MDs of its subsidiaries.
The ACC sources alleged that 13 top officials of Petrobangla's subsidiaries swindled over Tk 2.0 billion while carrying out development works in the last four years.
The 13 subsidiaries of Petrobangla are Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, Sylhet Gas Fields Limited, Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited, Gas Transmission Company Limited, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited, Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited, Paschimanchal Gas Company Limited, Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited, Sundarban Gas Company Limited, Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited, Barapukuria Coal Mine Company and Maddhapara Granite Mining Company Limited.