NU Vice-Chancellor approved Tk 1.08 billion tender in violation of rules
National University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah approved a tender worth Tk 1.086 billion in violation of government procurement rules, even though such approval falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase.
An investigation by the Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC) found evidence that the university procured goods at prices higher than the market rate and favored two specific companies during the tender process. However, despite the investigation report being submitted more than a year ago, no administrative or legal action has been taken against those involved.
The investigation found that, in addition to the vice-chancellor, Treasurer Prof. Dr. A.T.M. Zafrul Azam and Chief Engineer Md. Mizanur Rahman violated the Competition Act. It also established that two supplier firms—Master Cimex Paper Limited and Print Master Printing & Packaging Limited—breached the law.
According to the report submitted on July 14 last year, the tender process was deliberately structured to ensure that the two companies secured the contracts. Despite clear violations of procurement regulations, no action has been taken against them for an extended period.
Sources at the Competition Commission said that the investigation report in Case No. 03/2025 conclusively proved bid rigging and tender manipulation. Even so, the decision to grant immunity to the accused has raised serious questions.
Commission officials noted that, internationally, leniency or immunity is granted only under specific conditions. Offenders must voluntarily confess before an investigation begins and fully cooperate with investigators. Countries such as India, the United States, Singapore, and the European Commission follow this principle.
Under Bangladesh's Competition Act, 2012, there is no provision for such immunity. Therefore, granting immunity after an independent investigation has already established wrongdoing is considered unlawful and inconsistent with international standards.
Complaint Filed Over Tender Manipulation
On February 4 last year, the National University invited bids in two lots for the supply of lithocode and QR code-enabled OMR forms and answer scripts.
Alleging manipulation in the procurement process, A.K.M. Nausherul Alam, Secretary of the Bangladesh Paper Mills Association, filed a complaint with the Bangladesh Competition Commission.
The complaint alleged that university authorities, in collusion with Master Cimex Paper Limited and Print Master Printing & Packaging Limited, manipulated the tender process to eliminate genuine competition and ensure that the contracts were awarded to the two companies.
The commission's investigation found that Master Cimex Paper Limited was awarded Lot 1 for Tk 543.4025 million, while Print Master Printing & Packaging Limited secured Lot 2 for Tk 542.5775 million. Together, the two contracts were worth approximately Tk 1.086 billion.
Approval Granted Without Cabinet Committee Clearance
The investigation identified the tender approval process itself as a serious procedural violation.
According to the government's delegated financial authority rules, a vice-chancellor may approve procurement contracts worth up to Tk 300 million under the non-development budget.
Contracts valued between Tk 300 million and Tk 500 million require approval from the ministry's administrative head (the secretary). Any procurement contract exceeding Tk 500 million under the non-development budget must be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase.
The investigation report states that, instead of following these rules, the National University vice-chancellor approved the Tk 1.086 billion tender himself. This created a favorable situation for the contracting parties and bypassed the government's prescribed procurement procedures.
Similar Allegation Led to Arrest at Another University
In a similar case involving procurement authority violations, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed cases on June 18 last year against former Begum Rokeya University Vice-Chancellor A.K.M. Nur-Un-Nabi and another former vice-chancellor, Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah.
The complaint alleged that they abused their authority by altering the approved project design of a university development project and awarding contracts worth more than Tk 300 million without obtaining the required approval from the ministry or relevant department.
On August 7 of that year, former Vice-Chancellor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah was arrested in connection with the ACC case.
Questions have since been raised as to why no action has been taken against National University officials despite investigators finding evidence of similar violations.
Three Procurement Methods Used in a Single Tender
The tender notice stated that the procurement would be conducted under the Open Tendering Method (OTM).
However, the investigation found that the university actually used the One Stage Two Envelope Tendering Method standard tender documents (STD), a procurement approach typically reserved for turnkey projects or large industrial installations, creating another significant procedural inconsistency.