Tender anarchy grips country: Ruling party men in control of govt projects  BCL activists chase rivals during a clash at Rajshai University yesterday. Photo shows a seriously stabbed activist of a faction lies unattended on the ground in front of Ismail Hossain Siraji building. The political leaders apparently have totally forgotten the memory of the anti-graft drive after 1/11 Leaders and activists of ruling Awami League in collusion with a section of corrupt and partisan bureaucrats have established full control over the tender process of government and semi government establishments. Musclemen of AL keep constant watch on all the government and semi-government offices on all working days so that no public procurement or work order can take place without their knowledge. Identical scene was witnessed at Dhaka City Corporation, Public Works Department, Facilities Department, Roads and Highways Department, Water Development Board, Local Government and Engineering Department, WASA, DESA, Titas and other offices. The trouble that erupted last Monday at the Directorate of Food over submission of tender documents for construction and repair work of food godowns at an estimated cost of Tk. 28 million was nothing strange. Scuffles, brawls and other acts of muscle flexing by rival groups belonging to different front organizations of the ruling party have become common scene in cities and towns for quite sometime. At least 500 cases or general diaries were lodged with the police stations at Dhaka to check terrorism over control of public tenders since the government assumed power.But the law enforcing agencies could not take any action against the offenders as they belong to the ruling party, sources said. Many in police and RAB are acting as party-men . Some of the leaders of the ruling party are acting in collaboration with a section of bureaucrats promoting their selfish interests, it is alleged. The country may be labelled again as the most corrupt country, as terrorism and bribery have re-emerged as the most effective tools in the way of public works, it is feared. The mighty goons are not afraid of facing legal actions in future, though Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina several times sounded caution about recurrence of 1/11 in the country. The political leaders apparently have totally forgotten the memory of the anti-graft drive after 1/11 which led to arrest of a large number of political figures including the two top leaders of the country. Many ministers, MPs, presidents, secretaries and other influential leaders at district and upazila level belonging to Awami League and its front organisations and also their financers are involved in manipulating government jobs. Many contractors, dealers and businessmen, intending to win government work, have already changed their colours by joining the ruling party. They are now successfully influencing the offices to get lucrative work orders. The government high ups are almost inaction in this regard. No visible actions were taken against the ruling party goons though the media in recent days published series of reports of intra-party terrorism over control of public tenders. The ruling party thugs are still getting the jobs using their influence. Forcing contending contractors away from the bidding process at gun-point and hijacking of tender papers has become a regular phenomena in different parts of the country. The ruling party men are apparently above law and they are now engaged in fighting each other as contenders from the opposition parties have already been elbowed out. "The ruling party men are being rewarded in this way," said a central committee member of Shechchhasebak League, explaining the cause of dominance of Awami League activists in the bidding process of government work. He said, some of our leaders have been rewarded with party nominations to contest in the parliamentary or upazila elections, while some of them were made ministers. "But, what have we got? Did we not make any contribution to take Netri (leader, Sheikh Hasina) to power," he questioned. Brokery at the ministries and government offices became the main profession of most of the leaders of Juba League, Chhatra League, Sechchhasebak League and other front organisations of Awami League just after the party came to power. The established contractors and suppliers are the worst sufferers when musclemen having links with the ruling party try to gain control over the bidding process with open or tacit support from the relevant authorities. Is there any end to this culture is the question which is being raised in different circles whether in the city or elsewhere. http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/08/27/news0728.htm |
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