Govt negligence made way for e-commerce scams: MP Farhana

BNP lawmaker Rumeen Farhana demanded that the government pay back money to consumers who were scammed by e-commerce platforms such as Evaly and Eorange.

Speaking in a point of order at the 14th session of 11th parliament on Thursday, she said, "The government's negligence has made way for such companies to embezzle thousands of crore taka.

"When e-commerce platforms such as Evaly and Eorange began their ventures, it was clear that they would commit fraud. They were offering goods for half the price. A lot of people invested in those ventures. Now, they are refusing to deliver goods after taking a thousand crore taka."

She continued, "We cannot just blame the people. These companies did not operate their businesses in secret. Due to the amount of advertisements such companies used, the issue should not have escaped the attention of government policymakers.

"The government should return the money such platforms scammed from their consumers. Later, the government should attempt to take this money back from these companies."

She added, "Even if we ignore everything else [about such a business model], we cannot ignore the fact that this is a violation of the Competition Act. But the government did not take any action in this regard."

Several other lawmakers also participated in the point of order, and drew the government's attention on various issues.

BNP lawmaker GM Siraj expressed his joy over the mega projects, but also expressed his sorrow over the "mega corruption" present in those initiatives.

He further said, "Houses made for the poor have collapsed. The prime minister said a few days ago that the homes were damaged with hammers. Because of this, the Anti-Corruption Commission's probe on the matter has stopped."

Jatiya Party lawmaker Pir Fazlur Rahman said, "The government is losing a large amount of revenue because of a ghastly syndicate's involvement in the illegal VoIP business.

"We are losing Tk375 crore in revenue every month, and TeleTalk officials and staff are involved in this racket. I am demanding a statement on this matter from the minister concerned."

BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid demanded that a statement made by ruling party Whip Abu Syeed Al Mahmud be expunged.

Meanwhile, opposition party Whip Md Mashiur Rahman Ranga demanded justice for Jatiya Party's Companiganj unit General Secretary Quader Mirza – who was attacked earlier this year.

Reminding that Bangladesh is a densely populated country and it suffers from a shortage of farmlands, Jatiya Party lawmaker Mujibul Haque Chunnu said, "The Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy wants to build a training institute in Cox's Bazar.

"They have taken 700 acres of land there. What is the logic behind such a move? It is nothing but a misuse."