Take actions against Hajj misdeeds thru’ fair probe

প্রকাশিত: 3 September 2016, 7:13:07 pm

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) urged the government on Friday to take punitive actions against the agencies involved in irregularities and cheating with the Hajj pilgrims, through an independent and impartial investigation.

The anti-corruption agency also made an appeal to the government for ensuring accountability (in this process) through revealing the types of corruptions, irregularities and deceptions of the accused entities, a statement said.

TIB Executive Director (ED) Dr Iftekharuzzaman said several agencies have allegedly been reported to have deceived Hajj pilgrims this year, as it happened in previous years also.

Referring to some recent newspaper reports, he also said the pilgrims are complaining against many agents for violating their agreements through providing poor housings, provisions and other amenities.

The irregularities also include delay in Hajj-flights and their cancellations, for which many pilgrims are not being sent to Saudi Arabia, he added. “If the authorities concerned do not take rigid punitive actions against the accused agencies, they will cause further sufferings to the pilgrims.”

He also said the authorities concerned should be more dutiful and sensible to curb these corruptions by the agencies.

“The reports published on the global media depicting mismanagement in Bangladesh’s Hajj pilgrimage are gradually tarnishing the country’s image.”

The TIB ED also said the government is somewhat liable for the sufferings of the Hajj pilgrims, as it does not take effective actions against the corrupt agencies.

The lack of punitive actions against similar incidences every year is encouraging the ill-disciplined agencies. It has now become indispensible for the government to take initiatives for conducting independent and impartial investigation in this regard for finding a solution, he noted.

TIB, in its statement, also demanded making a pool of proficient agencies and blacklisting the indicted ones to minimise hassles of the country’s Hajj pilgrims.