CAG audit report including ‘pillow scandal’ submitted to PM

The much-talked about ‘pillow scandal’ corruption report of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, which took place during the fascist government, made its room in the 38 reports of various government departments and entities submitted to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today.

In 2019, the ‘pillow scandal’ graft came to light in the purchase of furniture and electronic equipment at the ‘Green City’ residential building of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Each pillow was procured at Taka 5,957. A huge amount of money was embezzled by procuring pillows and other items.

Confirming the matter, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh said Auditor and Comptroller General Md. Nurul Islam submitted audit reports of various ministries and organisations to the Prime Minister, including the investigation report on the pillow case.

After hearing the unbelievable price of each pillow in the report, he said, the Prime Minister told the CAG that these expensive pillows should be kept in a museum.

In the afternoon, Auditor General and Comptroller Md. Nurul Islam submitted the audit report for the fiscal 2021-22 to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat here.

The corruption occurred at every level in the purchase of Taka 169 crore for a residential building under the project. The cost of buying each pillow was shown as Taka 5,957 taka and the cost for lifting each pillow to the bed of the residential building was shown as Taka 760. The price of a comforter with a cover (used as an alternative to a blanket) was set at Taka 16,800. Although its market price ranged from Taka 4,000 to maximum of Taka 13,500. Similarly, foreign bed sheets were purchased at Taka 5,936 although its market price was Taka 3,000 to Taka 3,500.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Finance Secretary Dr Khairruzzaman Mozumder and officials of the concerned departments were present.