Furnishing RNPP flats at abnormally high cost Probe bodies formed

Staff Reporter :
The government has launched probe into the abnormally high prices of articles being used to furnish apartments in multi-storey buildings at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project (RNPP) in Pabna.
Two probe bodies–one from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and another from the Public Works Department (PWD)–have been formed to investigate the matter, said M Iftekhar Hossain, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry.
An Additional Secretary will lead the ministry’s probe team, while an Additional Chief Engineer will lead the PWD’s team, read a statement issued by the Ministry on Sunday.
According to the statement, the Ministry does not have any connection with official activities, and approval or appointment of the contractors in the project.
“The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has already instructed the authorities to cease all payments to contractor companies until the probe report is received,” the statement added. The Ministry also stated that no payment had been made to the contractor companies yet, and the payment would be made based on the recommendations of the probe bodies.
Meanwhile, a writ petition filed on Sunday seeking judicial inquiry into the procurement irregularities at the RNPP.
Barrister Sayedul Haque Suman, a Supreme Court lawyer, filed the writ petition at the High Court.
According to a media report that went viral on social media, the purchasing prices of various household articles used to furnish the RNPP project apartments, were abnormally higher than market prices.
The purchases were made to furnish 966 apartments constructed for the Russian engineers, and officials working on the project.
The media report claimed that, each of the pillows were purchased for Tk5,957, and the cost of transporting was Tk760 each, while an electric stove reportedly cost Tk7,747 and transporting it-from the bottom floor to upstairs-cost Tk6,650.
Moreover, the purchasing price of an electric kettle was Tk5,313, and its transportation cost was Tk2,945. A vacuum cleaner was reportedly purchased for Tk12,018 and transported upstairs for a charge of Tk6,650.
The report also claimed the price of an electric iron had been quoted at Tk4,154 while its transporting cost at Tk2,945.
Moreover, a television reportedly cost at Tk86,970, and carrying cost to upstairs at Tk7,698. A refrigerator also reportedly cost at Tk94,250 while its carrying cost was Tk12,521.