gold crest scam
JS body clears Tajul, recommends action against 4 govt officials
A parliamentary probe body yesterday recommended punitive action against four government officials, including secretary to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, for their alleged irregularities, corruption and involvement in forgery of gold-crest mementoes awarded to foreign friends for the contributions to the countrys Liberation War of 1971.
However, the probe body, did not find any authenticity in the allegations brought against ABM Tajul Islam, president of the parliamentary standing committee and former state minister for the Ministry of Liberation War affairs. The accused officials are KH Masud Siddiqui, secretary to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, joint secretary Md. Abul Kshem Talukder, deputy secretary SM Enamul Kabir, and acting administration officer Abul Kashem.
The Parliamentary standing committee for the Ministry of Liberation War affairs has decided to send the probe report to the ministry concerned for taking immediate action against the alleged government officials.
According to the committee, a sub-committee was formed last year in April 24 to probe the gold crest scam. Whip Iqbalur Rahim and Gazi Golam Dastagir was the member of the sub-committee, while Dr Afsarul Amin was the convener. After a year -ong investigation, the committee submitted its report on May 24 this year. The sub committee arranged three meetings before finalising the report.
AKM Mozammel Haque, minister for the Liberation War Affairs, Nurunnabi Chowdhury, member of the committee, Kamrul Laila Joly, member of the committee and other officials were also present at the meeting.
Kamrul Laila Joly, after the meeting, told journalists, Weve sent the report to the ministry after scrutinising the recommendations.
According to the recommendation of the report, no irregularities were found against the former state minister AB Tajul Islam during his tenure, while the other officials concerned were found guilty of showing negligence during duty.
Nearly 250 foreign nationals were awarded crests, shawls and certificates in seven phases last year for their contribution to Bangladeshs independence from Pakistan in 1971.
