The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Ex-Prime Minister and former Chief of Staff have been accused of having been involved in MiG-19 scandal. At present, charge hearing for the accused is being held by the court. Anti Corruption Commission has brought charges against both of them.

In deed, it was a scandal of huge proportion in terms of foreign exchange. Government has incurred losses about Taka 700 crores as our side didn't follow the terms of agreement because of dishonest motive. Due to this unscrupulous buying of MiG-29 during the last days of Awami government, our foreign exchange reserve drastically dropped by several millions million.

Subsequently, it transpired that in the name of national security this bulk purchase of Russian MiG - 29 worth 123 million dollar initiated for money laundering purpose. And, in fact a huge sum of money went across the border for buying MiG-29. MiG-29 scandal was a national scandal-there is no doubt in it. Charges brought by the anticorruption commission against the politicians are also right. But, through this letter I want to highlight the point which ACC (Anti-Corruption Commission) is lacking in bringing charges.

Our politicians have plundered our foreign exchange reserve through the scandalous purchase of MiG-29 with the help of bankers - Central Bankers. The high-ups of foreign exchange policy department of BB helped our politicians in effecting the payment easily violating the foreign exchange law (FERACT-1947) of the land. Mysteriously, it was found immediately after the deal that only banking document for the payment for MiG-29 i.e. the foreign exchange file of the deal is missing from the foreign exchange policy department of BB (Year -2000). To the surprise of many insiders of Bangladesh Bank this file never resurfaced again. Presently, when charge hearing is being conducted for the accused of MiG-29 scandal Government should not forget the lost file of BD which contained valuable information regarding irregularities in the purchase procedure. So, in order to understand the depth of crime committed by politicians and bankers alike it is uttermost responsibility ,on the part of investigating authority to find the corrupt officials of central bank that have participated in looting our foreign exchange in collusion with the politicians. They must do it in the greater interest of the nation.

Ali Ahmed

Dhaka