BSS-50 ACC finds irregularities at hajj agencies

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BSS-50

ACC-HAJJ-AGENCY

ACC finds irregularities at hajj agencies

DHAKA, July 19, 2018 (BSS) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today
conducted a surprised drive at some hajj agencies in the capital’s Naya
Paltan and found huge irregularities and corruption in the process of sending
pilgrims to the holly Hajj.

“The targets of the sudden drives are aimed at breaking the corrupt
syndicates involved in the hajj process and make hajjis (pilgrims) aware
against corruption,” said ACC Director General and coordinator of the
enforcement drive Mohammad Munir Chowdhury.

“We’ve conducted drives at the hajj agencies for fifth times after
receiving allegations of irregularities over ACC hotline 106,” said ACC
Deputy Director (public relations) Pranab Kumar Bhattacharjee.

He said a nine-member enforcement team of the national anti-graft agency
found huge irregularities during their surprise drive at the hajj agencies at
Naya Paltan.

The ACC is now waiting for a complete report from the team to take action in
this regard, Pranab said.

ACC officials said Kazi Air International located at Kazi Tower has
failed to show necessary documents to confirm the exact number of hajj
pilgrims scheduled to go to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj.

According to the rule, every registered hajj agency is compelled to send
minimum 150 hajjis to Saudi Arabia for hajj, but the agency only sent 75
pilgrims.

Vouchers of different expenses, including house rent, were not found in
the agency, they said.

During the drive, the ACC team also found that another hajj agency Kazi
Travels and Tours evaded tax of Taka four lakh last year.

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