To prevent corruption and ensure transparency and accountability, about 65 percent of government procurement is now done through e-GP. The rest will also be included soon under the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTI) under IMED.
The information was given at an orientation seminar on government procurement at the CPTU conference room in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Monday. The CPTU organized the seminar to inform the members of the Development Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (DJFB), an organization of journalists working in the Planning Commission and ERD Bit, about e-GP.
Director General of the organization Md Shoheler Rahman presided over the event while the IMED Secretary Abul Kashem Md. Mohiuddin was present as the chief guest. DJSFB President Hamid-uz-Zaman spoke on behalf of the journalists.
In response to various questions of journalists present at the event, it was informed that the opportunity for corruption has been reduced due to the submission of tenders through e-GP. Other than qualified contractors, others don’t get a chance to pick up work. Since everything is online, no unskilled organization can take work in collusion with each other. Any kind of irregularity can be easily detected. Therefore, there is no alternative to e-GP to prevent corruption in government procurement.
Masud Akhter Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, said that so far 52 banks have registered for e-GP. As many as 11,466 procurements from 1,438 government companies are being procured on NTT e-GP. So far, 1,08,115 contractors have been registered in this system. Tenders have been invited for 7 lakh 36 thousand 109. Their financial value is about Tk 8,71,900 crore. About 5 lakh 28 thousand 357 construction awards have been given. Their financial value is Tk 5,42,100 crore.
While speaking as the chief guest, Abul Kashem Md. Mohiuddin said IMED is being strengthened. IMED offices are being set up at divisional and district levels. The matter is under process. Besides, amendments to the Public Procurement Act have been sent to the Cabinet Division. The government has already approved the CPTU as an authority. Now at least 150 people will be recruited. Capacity will increase. He added that IMED is being strengthened to ensure transparency and accountability. As a result, the project can be evaluated very quickly. The scope of irregularities will decrease. Honesty is being taken in evaluating various projects and is being done with time. So that there is no mistake. If you rush, the right report does not come. We can’t work well because there’s a flaw in the system. Work is underway to address these issues.
While speaking as the president, Shoheler Rahman Chowdhury said that the contractors do not give his information properly. Now a data base will be created. It will have all the information of the contractors. You can’t hide information. It’s easier to follow the law. And if you don’t accept it, it’s hard. We’ve been working on them for three years. Now you will see gradual change.
