Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh Md Nurul Islam on Tuesday submitted a total of 38 audit reports on various government ministries, departments, organisations and projects to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, highlighting both compliance and performance audit findings, including the widely discussed “pillow scandal” linked to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.
The reports, covering the fiscal year 2021-22, were formally handed over at the Prime Minister’s Office under the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat in the morning, according to Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh.
Officials said the audit documents were prepared under Article 128(1) of the Constitution and Section 5 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Additional Functions) Act, 1974. The CAG submitted reports covering 17 ministries and divisions along with various directorates, offices, institutions and development projects before they are placed in Parliament.
Among the findings highlighted was the “pillow scandal” that surfaced in 2019 during procurement under the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project’s “Green City” residential facilities. The audit noted irregularities in the purchase of furniture and equipment, where each pillow was reportedly procured at Tk5,957, alongside inflated costs in other items such as comforters and bed sheets.
The report stated that significant irregularities were detected in procurement worth Tk169 crore, including excessive charges for items such as pillows, bedding accessories and installation costs.
Officials present at the meeting included Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and Finance Secretary Dr Khairruzzaman Mozumder, along with senior government representatives.
According to sources, after reviewing the unusual pricing in the audit report, the Prime Minister remarked that such expensive items could be preserved in a museum.
Earlier in the meeting, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of strengthening audit practices, particularly stressing performance audits alongside compliance audits to ensure transparency, accountability and effective use of public funds.
He said performance audits are essential to evaluate whether government projects are achieving intended objectives and delivering services efficiently to the public.
