Shajahan-Khalid syndicate still remains powerfulBIWTA is sinking in Salam-Mahe Alam's bribery trade

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is a large service providing Institution. The authorities are certainly aware of how much profit or revenue the government is getting from this institution. The authorities also know for sure whether the losses are heavy. However, during the time of the fallen government, this institution was a hotbed of corruption. Everything including tender trade, recruitment and transfer, wharf lease and supply was controlled by the then Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and the State Minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury syndicate. Their associates are still active in BIWTA.

One of the members of the syndicate is Additional Director of the Naval Conservation and Management Department, Md. Abdus Salam, and Md. Mahe Alam, a typist of the same department. Bribery is openly traded in this department. This pair has to pay huge bribes to proceed with contract work or files. They trade bribes by intercepting any file, starting from bill files. Although they are known as Awami Dosar and Dalal in the organization, the authorities are indifferent to this matter.

Recently, several written complaints have been filed against them in various organizations including BIWTA and the Ministry of Shipping. Many facts and figures of corruption and irregularities of Salam-Mahe Alam and several pictures and videos of public bribery are currently preserved in the hands of this reporter of The Finance Today, which will be published in stages in the public interest.

Initial investigations revealed that serious allegations of irregularities, harassment and financial transactions surrounding the process of granting Bridge Clearance (NOC) of BIWTA have been filed with the Ministry of Shipping. An influential syndicate has been controlling this government service provider for a long time. Even after the political change on August 5, 2024, 100 officials of the fascist "Bangabandhu Parishad" and 2/3 thousand employees of the Sramik League remain in place. They were established by the former Shipping Minister and State Minister with jobs and promotions in exchange for lakhs of taka. The seeds they left behind have only changed their shells. Earlier they were pro-Awami League. And now they have become pro-BNP-Jamaat. If the current government wants to benefit from this institution, it will have to conduct a combing operation here at the beginning, the deprived officials and employees of the institution have demanded.

Additional Director of the Naval Conservation and Management Department, Md. Abdus Salam (Wearing Punjabi) and Md. Mahe Alam, a typist of the same department

Behind the Awami League cronies are Md. Abdus Salam, Additional Director of the Navy Conservation and Management Department of the organization, and Md. Mahe Alam of the same department. Although the ministry recently gave instructions to investigate these allegations, it is known that those involved are still beyond punishment due to political influence and high-level collusion.

In this regard, Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Zakaria told the media, "I have only joined BIWTA for two or three days. Even so, I want to say that if serious allegations of irregularities, harassment and financial transactions are found against any officer or employee, necessary action will be taken after investigation."

'Digital harassment' at bridge clearance

When various government agencies - such as the Roads and Highways Department, the Local Government Engineering Department, the Railways or the Power Development Corporation - seek a no-objection certificate from BIWTA to build bridges over rivers, there is unreasonable delay in the application process. If specific financial benefits are not provided, the application is held up as 'review' or 'pending'. This delays the implementation of the project and attempts to increase government expenditure.

It has been alleged that Additional Director of the River Conservation and Management Department, Md. Abdus Salam, intentionally conspired with the contractor to reduce the height of the bridge in exchange for bribes. It is said that in the past, while issuing a no-objection certificate for the construction of the bridge, he gave a wrong clarification of the river by taking bribes. He has been summoned to explain himself many times for negligence in his duties. Sources concerned claim that the truth of this will be found if his personal file is searched.

An engineer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "Bridge clearance is a highly technical matter. If there is no transparency here, the entire waterway management will be affected and the risk of accidents will increase in the future."

Allegations of manipulation in river classification

In exchange for bribes, the river classification is deliberately changed to create an opportunity to lower the height of the bridge. This may create obstacles to the movement of large vessels in the future. According to experts, if the river classification is wrong, it can have a major negative impact on the country's shipping system in the long term. If the navigational clearance of the river is reduced, it will not only put pressure on the current but also on the future economy.

It is further alleged that this unprecedented dependence of the entire department, including the Additional Director, on a third-grade typist for a complete task like bridge clearance is an extremely shameful chapter for the institution.

Even when a typist breaks protocol and attends a high-level policy-making meeting chaired by the chairman himself, the self-respect of the top officials of the organization is not hurt in the slightest. This is because the entire administration is hostage to this syndicate.

It is easy to imagine the strength of those who live luxurious lives with corruption and bribes despite being paid by the people's tax money. If this people's government takes action against the corrupt people of BIWTA including Salam-Mahe Alam in the national interest, the institution will see profits. This will also increase employment opportunities, analysts say.

The complaint states that the concerned officials collected travel expenses, accommodation and food from the applicant institutions in the name of inspection. Then, the TA/DA bill was withdrawn from the government fund for the same visit. Experts believe that if such allegations are proven, it is a direct embezzlement of government funds. They believe that proof of this can be found only by investigating the concerned accounting department. However, when everyone is a thief's chief; in that case, strategies have to be adopted.

A former accounting officer said, "If benefits are taken from two sources on the same trip, it is a clear financial irregularity. Proof of this can be found by checking the accounting department."

Allegations of irregularities in the tender process

Going beyond his official duties, one of the leaders of the syndicate, Mahe Alam, maintained contact with various contractors as an additional director. He demanded financial benefits before and after the implementation of the work order. This matter raised questions about administrative discipline. The evidence of how Mahe Alam accepted bribes while sitting in the office is in the custody of this reporter.

The contractors allege that Mahe Alam made financial demands from contractors who received work orders in various tender processes before and after the execution of the work using various excuses. According to their claim, if the picture of financial transactions and bribery in public sitting in the office is investigated, clear evidence will be found.

Two contractors, who asked not to be named, alleged that Additional Director Abdus Salam had taken a bribe of Tk 5 lakh each a few years ago to give them work. Both of them were exonerated by giving them two small jobs worth Tk 4.5 lakh each. And the bill the contractors received did not even include labor costs.

Questions about non-income assets and lifestyle

There are allegations that there is a huge discrepancy between the income and lifestyle of the people concerned. There has been a demand for an investigation into their luxurious lifestyle with multiple flats, land and luxury cars in Dhaka. Questions have been raised about how Mahe Alam, who earns only 35 thousand taka, lives in a luxurious flat. He sends his children to prestigious schools in the capital. Occasionally, he and his family travel abroad and spend nights in expensive hotels. Their luxurious lifestyle is in no way consistent with their legitimate source of income.

A former Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) official said that if someone's lifestyle is not in line with their legitimate income, then it creates a logical basis for investigation. Such allegations come to the fore again and again when there is a lack of accountability in the administration. However, it is important to verify each allegation through an impartial investigation.

Questions also arise about technical capabilities

There have also been allegations of inefficiency and unusual reliance on important technical issues like bridge clearance. This has raised questions about the organization's capacity. However, according to engineering experts, the involvement of experienced engineers in such decisions is essential. Otherwise, there is a risk of wrong decisions.

Three steps are essential in dealing with such serious allegations. These steps are: forming an independent and impartial investigation committee, ensuring digital tracking and transparency, and taking prompt administrative action if found guilty.

BIWTA is an important organization in the country's shipping system. Therefore, any allegations raised regarding the above issues can affect the image and public trust of the organization. It will not only lead to financial irregularities, but also question the safety and long-term planning of the waterway management. Only a transparent, impartial and timely investigation can uncover the real truth and restore public trust.

Mysterious impunity despite the fall of the fascist government

After the fall of the government, some of the Awami League's corruption suspects were transferred and made OSDs. But additional director Abdus Salam and typist Mahe Alam are still alive. Salam is taking advantage of this and is also giving advantage to his cashier and disciple Mahe Alam.

Mahe Alam was elected as the Deputy General Secretary of the Central Executive Council of the Bangladesh Government Employees Welfare Federation on November 10, 2023. This organization was sponsored by labor leader and former Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan. Mahe Alam was the mastermind of various lobbying activities including tenders, appointments, transfers, etc. in BIWTA, showing his power under the umbrella of this top corrupt (fugitive) minister. The government party members are still trapped in the tyranny of this Awami syndicate in BIWTA.

Despite calling and contacting Additional Director Md. Abdus Salam and typist Mahe Alam several times to inquire about the allegations raised, they were not found.

It is worth noting that the Finance Today will feature an investigative report in the next issue on the issue of raising a bill worth lakhs of taka on the occasion of the birthday celebration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the unveiling of a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the list of Bangabandhu Parishad.