Realise Tk 1.9m from 9 mission officials: Watchdog

A parliamentary watchdog has suggested the government to realise Tk 1.9 million (Tk 1914,207) from nine officials of six Bangladesh missions abroad as they had taken the undue money as education allowance. The recommendation was made at the 5th meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Account, held at the Parliament Secretariat. Following an audit objection, the parliamentary watchdog asked the government to take steps for realising the unpaid Tk 19,14,207 from nine officials of a high commission and five embassies under the Foreign Ministry. At the meeting, the Comptroller and Audit General’s audit objection related to the Foreign Ministry’s annual reports for the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2009-2010 fiscals, and the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry’s annual report for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 fiscal years were discussed. The Standing Committee also took cognisance of the audit objection that a loss of Tk 4114,814 was incurred because officials of the Foreign Ministry did not take steps to construct a Consulate Building despite the free plot allocation, according to a news agency.