PM says audit findings reveal massive irregularities in mega projects

Highlights:

• Prime Minister Tarique Rahman alleged corruption and inflated costs in major projects based on CAG audit reports
• He said the government inherited a fragile economy and state structure
• Tarique cited irregularities in projects including Rooppur, Karnaphuli Tunnel and Padma Bridge
• Audit findings reflected widespread misuse of public funds across several sectors

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (8 May) pointed to alleged inflated spending and corruption in several mega projects, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Karnaphuli Tunnel and Padma Bridge, based on audit findings that exposed widespread misuse of public funds.

Speaking at a meeting with senior police officials at the prime minister's office in Tejgaon, he cited findings from audit reports presented to him by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

The prime minister said the current government inherited a "fragile" state structure and economy after assuming office.

"When the current government took responsibility, we found almost every sector in a very vulnerable condition. We received the country in a situation similar to that of a war-ravaged nation," he said.

Tarique Rahman said he was not presenting the issues politically but was sharing realities revealed in official audit findings.

"A few days ago, the Auditor General came to me. I am not presenting this politically; I am presenting the reality. I am not blaming anyone politically. We are citizens of this country, and your children are growing up here, which is why I am raising these issues," he said.

The prime minister said the CAG shared several audit observations with him, some of which had also appeared in newspapers.

Referring to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, he mentioned alleged excessive costs for furnishing residential facilities built for foreign personnel.

"He (CAG) told me that fully furnished quarters were constructed for foreigners there. A pillow was purchased at a cost of Tk80,000. As an ordinary person, can you imagine a pillow costing Tk80,000 anywhere in the world?" Tarique Rahman said.

He also alleged that dressing tables worth an estimated Tk30,000 to Tk35,000 were shown in audit records as costing Tk4 lakh to Tk5 lakh each.

On 5 May, Comptroller and Auditor General Md Nurul Islam submitted 38 audit reports for the 2021–22 fiscal year to the prime minister.

Comparing the Rooppur project with a similar project in a neighbouring country, Tarique Rahman said, "A similar project in our neighbouring country reportedly cost around Tk14,000 crore, whereas the cost of Bangladesh's Rooppur project ultimately stood at nearly Tk96,000 crore."

Referring to the Karnaphuli Tunnel project, he alleged that several luxurious buildings or apartments were constructed on the other side of the tunnel despite no apparent necessity.

The prime minister also claimed the audit investigation found irregularities in landscaping expenses linked to the project.

"The audit investigation found that trees were supposed to be planted on both sides - before entering and exiting the Karnaphuli Tunnel. But no trees were found there, although Tk50 crore had been withdrawn in the name of planting them," he said.

Tarique Rahman also referred to alleged corruption linked to development projects in Pirojpur and Patuakhali districts.

He said lawmakers from the region met him regarding stalled Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) works, particularly road construction projects.

"After making inquiries, I learned that Tk35,000 crore disappeared from just one ministry - the LGED Ministry through paperwork alone, without any work being completed," the Prime Minister said.

He also said that Tk6,000 crore was missing in a single district alone, covering several departments.

"There are many more such incidents. These incidents happened. Reality is reality, and we cannot avoid it even if we want to," he added.

Tarique Rahman said he mentioned the audit findings while responding to various demands and proposals raised by police officials regarding accommodation, transport and IT facilities.

"You spoke about housing problems, transportation and proposals for new IT units. All these require funding. We want to address these problems because better facilities will help you provide better public service," he said.

The prime minister said inflated project costs and loans taken for those projects created financial burdens on citizens.

"The debt taken for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project at four times the cost has now become a burden on every citizen, including those of you present here," he said.

Comparing infrastructure costs, he referred to India's Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, saying it was completed at around Tk14,000-15,000 crore, while the Padma Bridge cost approximately Tk54,000–56,000 crore.

"Ultimately, the burden of these loans falls on 20 crore people. Had these unnecessary expenditures not occurred, we could have done much more in sectors like police, Army, Air Force, Navy, education and health," Tarique Rahman said, adding: "But this is the reality we now have to deal with."

The prime minister delivered a directive speech to police officials at the Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister's Office as part of Police Week-2026.