The Biman Bangladesh Airlines authorities have relieved Revenue General Manager Mohammed Mizanur Rashid of corruption charges in software procurement for the airliner.
Critics say Biman Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shafiul Azim favored Mizanur despite allegations of the latter’s involvement in two software procurement scams.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to open a file over the software purchase scam and directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to take necessary action based on evidence.
On August 2, Commission Director General Rezaunur Rahman issued a letter to the ministry asking it to take action against Mizanur. It also asked the ministry to inform the ACC regarding the action taken against Mizanur.
Later, Abdul Awal, the deputy secretary of the ministry, wrote to Biman MD and CEO Shafiul Azim to take action in this regard and submit an investigation report by September 14.
But the Biman MD defied government orders, and on August 21, he relieved Mohammed Mizanur Rashid of corruption charges without launching any investigation, citing Mizanur’s previous reputation.
The Biman boss, however, could not clarify what Mizanur's previous reputation was.
Dhaka Tribune itself found several pieces of evidence of Mizanur’s involvement in several scams, including London cargo GSA scam, mail server hacking, sports-gear procurement scam, and guangzhou ticket black-marketing.
According to documents, the two software programs that Mizanur Rashid had bought with false information cost over Tk5 crore.
Of them, the Finesse Budgeting software purchased in 2016 could not be used by Biman at all due to malfunctions.
Another software, Misc. Billing System (Finesse MBS), was launched in February 2012.
Sources say that earlier, Biman could do five or ten years of advance planning and feasibility analysis of aircraft purchases in its own system, which is not possible through the new software.
On the contrary, Biman revenue management is facing losses after using the software.
Biman paid over Tk5 crore to Accelya Solutions Limited for the purchase and maintenance of the two softwares until December 2022.
Dhaka Tribune could not reach Mizanur for comments.
Biman’s internal inquiry
Biman’s former MD Zahid Hossain formed an inquiry committee last year, which found evidence of corruption in the procurement procedure.
According to the committee report, GM Mizanur Rashid had purchased two software packages for the airline’s financial unit from Accelya Solutions Limited with false information and did not submit any RFP (request for proposal) before the purchase.
On January 25, the then Biman CEO told Dhaka Tribune: "A show-cause notice was issued against Mizanur for breaching the procurement policy. He replied to the notice. However, as it was 'not satisfactory', an inquiry officer was appointed. The officer will investigate the matter closely and submit a report. After that, departmental action will be taken."
Divisional action against Mizan
Based on evidence, Biman filed a divisional case against Mizanur Rashid on January 17 this year.
According to the charge sheet for the case, Mizanur Rashid deliberately violated Biman's procurement policy.
"Before buying any software for an aircraft, a RFP (Request for Proposal) must be given regarding alternative software. It was not given," read the charge sheet.
But there are allegations that the MD of the airliner defied government orders, ignored all evidence available, and cleared Mizanur of corruption charges. Critics accuse the MD of nepotism, as Mizanur Rashid and Shafiul Azim hail from the same area.
While asked about the allegation on Wednesday, Biman MD told Dhaka Tribune: "I did not know where Mizan comes from."
TIB observations
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has observed that it is good that the ACC has started an investigation into the alleged corruption in Biman’s software purchase. It is also appropriate that the ACC has referred the matter for departmental action by the ministry, whose directive to Biman CEO to take action also sounded procedurally appropriate.
However, if Biman has found no reason to hold the relevant official to account despite the matter being treated as cognizable by both the ACC and the ministry, the question should be logically raised if there is something more to the alleged case of corruption that drives the CEO’s decision, said TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
Is it only a case of alleged nepotism or is it also an instance of collusive corruption, the benefits of which are more important than compliance, the TIB chief added, raising a question.
He further said: "This gives ACC the reason to deepen and widen the scope of investigation to ensure that not only the direct perpetrators but also their colluders and protectors are held accountable without favour or fear."