Bangladesh — Firefighters risk their lives by stepping into dangerous blazes to save others. When questions arise regarding the quality of their safety gear—including boots, gloves, masks, uniforms, and other protective equipment—it is no longer merely a issue of government financial mismanagement; it directly threatens the safety and lives of frontline rescuers. Serious allegations of corruption and irregularities have now emerged surrounding the Procurement and Store Wing of the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence.

At the center of these allegations are Md. Helal Uddin Khan, Assistant Director (Procurement and Store), and Shams Arman, Senior Staff Officer of the department. They face serious accusations of exerting undue influence over tenders, procurement, supply, warehouse management, and administrative decisions. Concerns include favoring specific suppliers, pre-determining contracts prior to floating tenders, facilitating vendor selection in exchange for kickbacks, and accepting substandard equipment.

Pre-Determined Tenders and Commission Trading

One of the most alarming aspects of the allegations against the Procurement and Store Wing is the collusion to award contracts to specific suppliers before tender invitations are even published. Reports suggest that tender conditions, evaluation processes, and product reception stages were manipulated to benefit preferred entities.

Sources indicate that commissions were routinely collected for vendor selection and during product acceptance procedures. Procurement transactions allegedly involved kickbacks ranging from 3% to 5%, while purchases of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), uniforms, and boots yielded commissions between 2% and 3%.

Substandard Life-Saving Gear

Serious concerns have been raised regarding the quality of heat-resistant boots, protective gloves, masks, uniforms, and eye protection gear purchased for firefighters—equipment intended to safeguard personnel operating under extreme heat, dense smoke, and toxic gas environments.

According to the allegations, items failing to meet required specifications were accepted. A detailed review of product sample approvals, quality tests, inspection committee reports, and delivered product specifications would reveal the full extent of these irregularities.

Manipulation in Warehouse Management

The process of storing purchased gear, logging items in the stock register, and distributing them to field offices has also come under scrutiny. Allegations indicate that beyond handing over official duties to the designated storekeeper, Bahauddin, administrative influence was exerted over various warehouse operations.

To establish transparency in government asset accounting, storage, and distribution, experts emphasize the need to examine stock registers, issue registers, handover documentation, and records of supply dispatch to field units.

Allegations of Monthly Payouts and Perks

Sources claim that Shams Arman received monthly payouts ranging from BDT 700,000 to BDT 800,000 directly from the procurement and store branch. Further allegations suggest that regular gifts and household groceries were delivered to his residence in Sadarghat.

Controversies Over Posting and Duties

Shams Arman's posting and assignment details have drawn additional controversy. Despite being officially transferred to Mymensingh as a Deputy Assistant Director, allegations state that he continued to perform duties as a Staff Officer at the headquarters in Dhaka.

Past Allegations Against Helal

Md. Helal Uddin Khan has a history of corruption allegations related to transfers, recruitment, administration, and procurement management. Questions have been raised regarding his postings and duty shifts between 2023 and 2024.

During his tenure in Barishal, he was allegedly involved in collecting BDT 2,000 to BDT 2,500 per license monthly from inspectors. His subsequent return to headquarters to assume charge of the Procurement and Store Wing was reportedly facilitated by influential recommendations and financial exchanges.

Calls for Comprehensive System Audit

The allegations within the Fire Service's procurement and store management are interconnected. From tender selection to supply, product reception, warehousing, and field distribution, irregularities have been reported at virtually every stage.

Consequently, stakeholders emphasize that isolated reviews will not suffice; a comprehensive document audit of the entire procurement and supply chain system is urgently required.

Given that equipment purchased for emergency services directly impacts the safety and survival of personnel in life-threatening situations, complainants are demanding an impartial investigation into the allegations against Md. Helal Uddin Khan and Shams Arman, along with strict administrative and legal action if proven guilty.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has stated that fuel prices in Bangladesh remain significantly lower compared to many other countries, despite ongoing global challenges. He made the remarks during a press briefing in the capital on Monday afternoon, addressing the current energy situation.  

Presenting comparative fuel prices from several nations, Rizvi explained that the government is making sincere efforts to resolve the fuel crisis amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. "We are continuing to provide subsidies for fuel. Even after adjusting prices, losses are still being incurred," he said.  

Criticizing opposition programs, the BNP leader expressed disappointment over the rhetoric used during recent long marches. He noted that instead of offering constructive solutions on how fuel could be supplied at lower costs, unacceptable language was directed at the government. Rizvi also warned that the BNP would not remain silent if a "one-point" ultimatum was issued against the administration.  

Addressing recent incidents of violence, including bus arson and crude bomb explosions in Dhaka and other districts, Rizvi characterized them as planned acts of terrorism aimed at destabilizing the country. He further alleged that a deliberate conspiracy is underway to derail social development projects and public welfare initiatives. 

Information State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury has said that the government is planning to undertake short-, medium- and long-term initiatives to make the country’s media and film industries modern, contemporary and internationally competitive. Speaking to this correspondent, he said necessary initiatives would also be taken to enable newspapers, online media, radio, television and social media platforms to play a more effective role in the country’s development and progress.

The Information State Minister said the media sector needs to modernize its structures, technologies and working methods in line with the changing times. The government will also place importance on enabling Bangladesh’s media outlets to work in coordination with international standards and practices. In this regard, cooperation from newspaper, radio and television authorities, as well as journalists, is essential, he said.

He said a comprehensive plan would also be formulated for the development of the country’s film industry. Alongside long-term planning, initiatives would be taken to improve infrastructure, introduce modern technology and promote creativity in the film sector. He added that the government would implement the plans while giving due importance to the Prime Minister’s advice.

Yaser Khan Chowdhury further said newspapers are not merely a means of disseminating news; they serve as an important bridge between the people, the state and society. Newspapers should play a responsible role as friends of the people in the country’s development and democratic progress, he said.

At the same time, he stressed the need to strengthen the role of the media in providing objective news, highlighting issues of public interest and giving voice to people from different sections and professions of society.

The Information State Minister claimed that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is a media-friendly political party and that BNP-led governments have taken various initiatives for the development of newspapers and the media sector while in power. He said necessary measures would also be taken in the future to further develop and modernize the newspaper industry.

He said the world is changing rapidly, while advances in digital technology are transforming the nature of the media as well as the expectations of readers and viewers. Bangladesh’s media sector must therefore enhance its capabilities and adapt to these changes, he said.

He also emphasized the importance of making newspapers and other media organizations more technology-driven and modern, alongside improving the professional skills of journalists.

Speaking about journalists, Yaser Khan Chowdhury said they play an important role in bringing the concerns and aspirations of people before society. In particular, journalists have a significant responsibility to highlight the problems and expectations of workers, low-income groups and disadvantaged communities.

He expressed his commitment to working in cooperation with journalists to further develop the country’s media sector and create a supportive professional environment for them.

People close to the Information State Minister have claimed that his activities have already generated enthusiasm among journalists within a short period. They expressed hope that his initiatives to create a journalist-friendly environment and address various problems facing the media sector would continue.

The Information State Minister said coordinated efforts by the government, media owners and journalists are essential to making the country’s media sector more modern, capable and internationally competitive. Through mutual cooperation, he said, the media can play a more effective role in the country’s development and in promoting public welfare.

Questions have been raised over the continued existence of an unelected management structure at the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), even under an elected government. Allegations have also surfaced that the organisation did not follow its established rules and procedures in appointing its secretary general and deputy secretary general.

The interim ad hoc committee was primarily tasked with organising an election for the society’s governing board. However, the election process was eventually suspended following allegations of irregularities and concerns raised by international partners.

The most recent election to the BDRCS management board was held on April 20, 2024, at the auditorium of Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College in Dhaka. The election resulted in the formation of the 2024–2026 management board.

Following the political change on August 5, 2024, the existing board’s activities underwent significant changes. On August 29 that year, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formed an ad hoc committee for the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

Major General (retd) Md Rafiqul Islam was appointed chairman, while Dr Kabir Md Ashraf Alam, a former additional secretary of the government, was appointed secretary general.

Under the rules of the Red Crescent Society, there is provision for forming an ad hoc management board under special circumstances. One of its principal responsibilities, however, is to facilitate the formation of an elected management board within the required timeframe.

There are allegations that the ad hoc committee failed to complete that responsibility within the stipulated period. The governing structure, including the chairman and management board, has reportedly been formed and reconstituted several times, while no permanent solution has been reached regarding the election.

Questions Over Appointment of Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General
Serious questions have also been raised over the appointment process for the secretary general and deputy secretary general.

According to the allegations, the Red Crescent Society published a recruitment notice in a national daily on July 8 for the post of deputy secretary general (DSG). Following the advertisement, eight applicants were called for an examination, which was held on July 15. However, the results of the examination were not subsequently published.

Instead, Ehsan-E-Elahi was appointed DSG on August 12, despite allegations that he had neither applied for the post under the published recruitment process nor participated in the examination.

It has further been alleged that he submitted his application on August 12, received his appointment letter on the same day and joined the organisation immediately.

The following day, August 13, Habibur Rahman Khan was appointed secretary general (SG). No recruitment advertisement or examination was reportedly conducted for this appointment either.

To formally approve the two appointments, the newly appointed secretary general called a board meeting on August 13. At the board meeting held on August 16, the appointments were approved.

However, allegations have been raised that the necessary documents relating to the appointments were not properly placed before the members of the board. Board member Advocate S M Mahidul Islam Sajib reportedly submitted a note of dissent over the matter.

Attempts were made to obtain his comments, but he did not respond to requests for an interview.

Who Is Ehsan-E-Elahi?
Ehsan-E-Elahi, appointed as deputy secretary general, is a retired government secretary who held several senior positions during the Awami League government.

As an additional secretary to the government, he served as chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) from September 3, 2019, to January 20, 2021.

He subsequently served as chairman of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), a major state-owned corporation, from January 21 to June 24, 2021. He then served as chairman of the Land Reform Board from June 29 to August 17, 2021.

On August 17, 2021, he was appointed secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, a position he held until February 8, 2024.

After reaching the normal retirement age in November 2023, he was reportedly given a further six-month contractual appointment by the then government.

Secretary General Habibur Rahman Khan
Habibur Rahman Khan is a former officer of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre. During his nearly 33-year government career, he served in a number of important administrative positions, including deputy commissioner, additional deputy commissioner and upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).

He also served as minister (commercial) and counsellor (commercial) at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

During the Awami League government, he served as additional secretary (administration) of the Health Services Division and headed the media cell dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

In June 2020, he was transferred to the Bangladesh Applied Nutrition and Human Resource Development Institute (BIRTAN), under the Ministry of Agriculture, as its executive director. He retired from government service while serving in that position, which carried the rank of additional secretary.

After retirement, he worked as a national consultant for the World Health Organization. He subsequently joined the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society as secretary general.

Allegations Surrounding the Election
At a meeting of the Red Crescent board on August 16, a decision was taken to hold an election for the management board. September 17 was set as the proposed polling date.

The meeting assigned the secretary general and deputy secretary general the responsibility of forming the election commission in consultation with Vice Chairman, Treasurer and board member Kazi Mahbubur Rahman.

The meeting was informed that committees had been formed in 30 of the society’s 68 units. For the remaining 38 units, the ad hoc committee would be allowed to nominate and send representatives.

Preparations for the election subsequently began, including the formation of an election commission. However, allegations of irregularities emerged over the selection of representatives in several units, including Chattogram and Jhalokathi.

There were allegations that individuals who were not eligible to vote had been included on the voter list, while eligible individuals had been excluded. Legal notices were also reportedly issued in connection with some of the allegations.

According to the Red Crescent authorities, international partners and donor organisations subsequently expressed concerns over the election process.

Against this backdrop, the election commission was cancelled on September 10. The special general meeting scheduled for September 17 was also cancelled.

In a letter signed by Red Crescent Chairman Barrister Md Abdus Salam, it was stated that serious and specific complaints had been received regarding the validity of delegates nominated by ad hoc committees in various units, as well as the nomination of delegates by elected committees.

The letter also referred to concerns raised by international partners. It stated that additional time was required to ensure transparency in the election process, representative participation, legal compliance and institutional credibility.

The decision was therefore taken to hold the management board election at a later, suitable date, while cancelling the special general meeting scheduled for September 17.

What the Authorities Say
Kamaluzzaman Chowdhury was the health secretary when the current Red Crescent board was formed and the appointments were made. At the time, he said the Ministry of Health had formed only one committee during the government’s tenure and that the committee’s responsibility was to facilitate the formation of an elected board.

He also said the ministry had no position regarding the formation of the previous committee.

Regarding allegations of irregularities in the appointments, he said recruitment was an internal matter of the Red Crescent Society. According to him, the organisation operates under its own rules and is an independent institution. Therefore, he said, the Red Crescent authorities would be in the best position to respond to questions concerning the appointments.

When contacted, the current health secretary, Dr A N M Bazlur Rashid, said he was new to the position and was not yet aware of the details. He said he would look into the allegations.

Attempts were also made over the past two weeks to obtain comments from Red Crescent Chairman Barrister Md Abdus Salam. However, no response was received.

The reporter was not allowed to enter the chairman’s office without his approval. Several attempts were made to contact him by mobile phone and WhatsApp, and written questions were also sent to him. He did not respond.

As a result, the Red Crescent authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive response to the allegations surrounding the appointment process and the election.

The key issue now is whether the organisation can resolve the allegations through a transparent and impartial process and arrange a new election that complies with its rules and ensures a representative management board.