A bag originally priced at Tk 4,000 has been set at Tk 34,400, despite being a low-grade product with a separately attached logo of an expensive brand. Similarly, a card reader priced at Tk 3,000 was billed at Tk 21,500.
The body of a digital steel SLR camera, originally priced at Tk 338,000, was charged at Tk 709,500. Four such camera bodies were supplied for Tk 2,838,000.
In total, the set purchased for photography was billed to the government at Tk 5,844,130. In reality, the combined price of these items is less than Tk 2,000,000.
Though unbelievable, such rampant plunder has taken place in the national parliament, where corruption and looting are spoken against almost every day.
The procurement was completed at an astonishing speed for taking photographs during the parliamentary session. Although the directive required the cameras and related items to be supplied within 30 days, they were delivered in just 19 days.
Kaniz Maula, who was recently relieved of his post as Parliament Secretary, oversaw the entire process from behind the scenes. All rules were followed on paper, yet the procurement turned into a massive plunder.
According to the Parliament Secretariat, this was the first procurement since the BNP-led government took office on March 12 this year. The procurement order was issued to the supplier 13 days after the BNP took office, and the supplier delivered the order within a 19-day span, on April 15.
A total of 12 camera-related items were purchased. Alongside four camera bodies, four different types of camera lenses were also bought. Three lenses with 24–70mm focal length were purchased for Tk 3,741,000. The price charged for each was Tk 124,700.
According to sources, the market price of these items is a maximum of Tk 78,000.
A 24–120mm focal length lens was purchased for Tk 210,700, while its market price ranges between Tk 105,000 and Tk 110,000. A 14–24mm focal length lens was bought for Tk 447,200, although its estimated market value is a maximum of Tk 125,000, according to sources concerned.
A 100–400mm lens was purchased at a cost of Tk 576,200, while camera-related experts say its market price is a maximum of Tk 235,000.
For the camera set, six speedlights (flashes) were purchased for Tk 663,300, meaning each unit cost Tk 101,050. However, their market price is estimated at Tk 10,000 to Tk 15,000 at most.
Similarly, 10 pieces of 128GB memory cards of Sifexpress were purchased for Tk 322,500, while 10 SD/SDHC (128GB) memory cards were bought for Tk 81,700. One card reader was purchased for Tk 86,000, and four other card readers of different brands were bought for Tk 11,180.
In addition, 20 sets of rechargeable batteries were purchased for Tk 68,800. Six rechargeable batteries were bought for Tk 83,850, with each unit priced at Tk 13,975. However, according to sources, the market price of such batteries is Tk 900 to Tk 1,200 per unit.
It was mentioned in the tender that these items were to be supplied by the Japanese company Nikon, but they were actually supplied by the company Simpex.
Officials of the Parliament Secretariat told Bangladesh Pratidin that most of the camera accessories supplied are of inferior quality. Some items appear to have logos attached, while parts of certain products are from different companies, although branded names were mentioned for each item. Some items even appear to have been purchased from Stadium Market in the capital and supplied.
They added that a proper investigation would reveal the full extent of irregularities and plundering.
Safe Traders, a company owned by Sanjoy Kumer Das and stationed at Al-Haj Shamsuddin Mansion (6th Floor), supplied the camera equipment. However, no official website of the company could be found, but it has a Facebook page.
When contacted through the number listed on its Facebook page, a person identifying himself as General Manager Mirazul Islam said, “The cost became higher because expensive branded products were supplied. There are also VAT and taxes involved.”
He added, “Such prices are not unusual in government procurement; this happens frequently in Bangladesh.”
When questioned about the price gap with market value and the use of different brands, he abruptly disconnected the call.
Senior Assistant Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, Md Mahidul Haque, who signed the work order, said a committee had been formed for the procurement and decisions were made based on its recommendations. “I am new to the Secretariat and had to sign due to my official position. The process was completed before I joined,” he said.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed the former secretary personally oversaw the procurement and selected the company, while ensuring all procedures were formally followed to avoid future accountability.
A photographer with more than 20 years of experience at the Secretariat said a camera set costing between Tk400,000 and Tk 100,000 would be sufficient for photographing parliamentary sessions. “In my entire career, I have never seen or heard of such an expensive purchase,” he said.
Two professional photographers working outside the Secretariat also expressed surprise, noting that the parliamentary chamber is a relatively small space. “The specifications and costs of the camera bodies, lenses, memory cards and chargers are astonishing,” they said.
Repeated attempts to contact former Secretary Kaniz Maula for comment were unsuccessful, and she did not respond to text messages on the matter.
Translated by AM
