Conflict of Interest

They have business or financial interests which can be impacted by decisions of the parliament committees they are members of.

Some of these MPs have been dropped from the committees after media furore over ‘conflict of interest’, but a good number still remain on them.

Awami League Chief whip Abdus Shahid, however, denied knowledge of the obvious ‘conflict of interest’ that many lawmakers find themselves in.

He referred to a recent proposal he gave to reform the Parliamentary Standing Committee after taking permission from Leader of the House, Sheikh Hasina.

He told bdnews24.com,” The procedures have in place clear regulations for the Parliamentary committee members.”

“But, its important to know what business is being run by the lawmaker. Appropriate action is needed if the information is available,” he added.As per the regulations, lawmakers are prohibited to be on any Parliamentary committee, which can make decisions that affect their personal, financial or business interest.

Over the matter, Chittagong University Public Administration department Prof Nijam Uddin told bdnews24.com, “We can do nothing if those who make the rules are the ones violating them.”

He believes regulations are ‘useless’ if lawmakers do not abide by them.

Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury is the President of the Standing Committee on the Shipping Ministry, but he is a shipping magnate himself.

He owns Harbour Service Limited which plies vessels on several commercial routes.

When contacted, Chowdhury said, “I resigned as the company’s Managing Director and Director when I ran for my first election in 1991.”

”My family is directly involved with shipping. I have nothing to do there. My brother and wife run several businesses,” he added.

There are many like him who find a way out to deny ‘conflict of interest’ despite gnawing suspicion that parliamentary committees they sit on decide on issues which would benefit them — or surely their families.

Members of the Parliamentary committee on the Ministry of Finance, Golam Dastagir Gazi and Tajul Islam are Directors of Jamuna Bank.

President of the same committee, Mustafa Kamal, owns share-market enlisted company CMC Kamal.

Ruling party MPs Mujibur Rahman, who is involved with Roads and Highways Department’s contracting business, was made the President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Communications, but, was removed on Feb 7 following a media outcry.

Nasrul Hamid and Enamul Haque, both involved with housing estate business, were removed from the Standing Committee on the Housing and Public Works on Mar 22 2011.

The family of the President of ABM Abul Qasem, who heads the Standing Committee of the Commerce Ministry, is into ship-wrecking business.

bdnews24.com tried to reach Qasem but could not. His Personal Assistant Mohammad Aslam said,” Sir is sick.”

Tipu Munshi, a member of the committee is headed by Qasem, is the owner of Sepal Garments factory.

Source: Bd news24