The second attempt to execute Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited's (BTCL) Switching and Transmission Network (STN) project is on the verge of failure amid serious allegations of irregularities and arbitrary decisions during the tender process.
The project, aimed at improving digital connectivity by reducing call drops, enhancing customer service, and increasing revenue, is mired in controversy due to the conduct of its director.
There are allegations that the project director (PD) has repeatedly interfered with tender requirements to favour a particular bidder, despite serious questions about the firm's eligibility.
In the first round of tendering, two bidders participated.
Following an evaluation, the BTCL board expressed suspicion over the assessment report and formed a three-member verification committee.
On scrutiny, the committee found that a bidder had submitted a forged experience certificate, which is a violation of Section 64 of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and Rule 127(4) of the Public Procurement Rules (PPR).
Under these provisions, such bids must be rejected outright, and legal action should be taken against the offender.
A member of the committee, seeking anonymity, said, "We clearly found the documents had been forged, and our recommendation was to cancel the procurement proposal, re-invite tenders, and initiate legal proceedings under procurement laws."
Acting on this advice, the tender was cancelled and re-invited on July 29 this year. However, instead of pursuing legal measures, the project director unilaterally proposed lowering the minimum ICX capacity requirement from 50,000 SIP trunks to 32,500, which would make it easier for the questionable firm to qualify.
On August 14, an amendment reflecting this change was issued.
The new tender was submitted on August 28, and the project director soon prepared another favourable evaluation report by reportedly pressuring the evaluation committee and withholding earlier documents critical of the firm.
When the proposal was placed before the BTCL board on September 11, fresh suspicions arose, and another three-member verification committee headed by a senior official of the Posts and Telecommunications Division was formed.
Sources within the project say the director is attempting to remove the first verification committee's findings from official records.
Experts also caution that reducing the ICX capacity by one-third will undermine the project's ability to meet the current demand.
Another anomaly has further raised concerns.
The first tender required equipment capable of handling 50,000 CPE trunks, while the second reduced the requirement to 32,500.
Logically, the price should have decreased. But instead, the bidder submitted a proposal involving a nearly Tk 22.5 million higher amount than the first.
With the second verification committee now reviewing the matter, the project's future remains uncertain.
Observers fear that repeated rule-bending and lack of accountability could derail a vital initiative intended to improve the nation's telecommunication infrastructure.
Project Director Towfiqul Islam has told The Financial Express he is not informed about any discrepancy.
"If any discrepancy is there, the committee will look into that," he adds.
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