Matin 'violated law' to raise service age: Probe body
Thursday, 8 October 2009
A parliamentary probe has found that former shipping adviser to the caretaker government MA Matin violated a law in increasing the service age of 'pilots' of Chittagong Port and misused his office, reports bdnews24.com.
The probe report, made by the parliamentary standing committee on shipping, recommended the ministry to inform the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) for investigating the 'power abuse' by Matin and four other public servants involved in the process.
"Mr Matin abused his authority as shipping adviser and violated constitution and the Public Servants' Retirement Act 1974 by increasing the age limit of pilots at Chittagong Port," Chairman of the standing committee Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury told the news agency after the committee meeting Wednesday.
Former shipping secretary Sheikh Motahar Hossain, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Commodore RU Ahmed, former joint secretary Abdul Matin and Sharif Md Masud are the other officials found guilty by the inquiry committee.
"We have also asked the ministry to take departmental actions against the officials", said ruling Awami League (AL) lawmaker Shah Alam, head of the four-member probe body.
Earlier, the parliamentary probe body accused Matin of violating government rule in awarding container-handling work at Chittagong Port to a 'novice' firm.
The ACC on September 30 quizzed him over the charges. Matin claimed himself innocent at the hearing and said his move saved public funds.
"Only parliament can change the service age of all public servants including the pilots," Chowdhury, the committee chief, said at his office.
"The probe body has recommended cancellation of the age limit increase and refer the corruption case to the ACC", Shah Alam said.
The probe report, made by the parliamentary standing committee on shipping, recommended the ministry to inform the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) for investigating the 'power abuse' by Matin and four other public servants involved in the process.
"Mr Matin abused his authority as shipping adviser and violated constitution and the Public Servants' Retirement Act 1974 by increasing the age limit of pilots at Chittagong Port," Chairman of the standing committee Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury told the news agency after the committee meeting Wednesday.
Former shipping secretary Sheikh Motahar Hossain, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Commodore RU Ahmed, former joint secretary Abdul Matin and Sharif Md Masud are the other officials found guilty by the inquiry committee.
"We have also asked the ministry to take departmental actions against the officials", said ruling Awami League (AL) lawmaker Shah Alam, head of the four-member probe body.
Earlier, the parliamentary probe body accused Matin of violating government rule in awarding container-handling work at Chittagong Port to a 'novice' firm.
The ACC on September 30 quizzed him over the charges. Matin claimed himself innocent at the hearing and said his move saved public funds.
"Only parliament can change the service age of all public servants including the pilots," Chowdhury, the committee chief, said at his office.
"The probe body has recommended cancellation of the age limit increase and refer the corruption case to the ACC", Shah Alam said.