Parliament Secretariat to probe ‘overpriced’ camera equipment purchase

The Parliament Secretariat has decided to form a high-level probe committee to investigate allegations that cameras and related equipment were procured at prices “several times higher” than market rates.

In a press release issued today (20 April), the secretariat said no bills related to the purchase will be cleared until the probe report is submitted.

The decision follows reports published in a national daily and several online portals under the headline “plunder in parliamentary procurement.”

According to the media reports, cameras, lenses, memory cards, batteries, flashes and other equipment were purchased at significantly inflated prices compared to the market rate. A package bought for Tk58.44 lakh reportedly has an actual market value of less than Tk20 lakh.

The reports also alleged discrepancies in the tender process, stating that while a specific brand was mentioned in the tender, different brands were supplied in some cases.

Although the delivery timeline was 30 days, the equipment was reportedly received within only 19 days.

According to the media reports, this was the first procurement by the Parliament Secretariat after the BNP formed the government.

The 13th National Parliament began its journey on 12 March, the purchase order was issued on 25 March, and the equipment was delivered on 15 April.