Chittagong and Mongla ports have earned Tk 8.66 billion from January to September period of the current year, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan told the parliament (Jatiyo Sangsad) Monday. In reply to a question of Mohammad Fazlul Azim, the minister said Chittagong port fetched Tk 8.45 billion and Mongla port fetched Tk 208.0 million.
Chittagong Port dock workers-employees' federation demonstrated in the port demanding reinstatement of the workers terminated during the immediate past caretaker government, boycotting the scheduled meeting with Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan Thursday.
Chittagong Port, the prime sea port of the country will become inoperative as most of the pilots who berth the ships into the jetties from the outer anchorage will retire in next year. Of the total 10 pilots, only eight are working. Of them five pilots will retire as they will be over 57 years old next year.
A parliamentary body today accused former shipping adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin of violation of constitution and the Public Servant (Retirement) Act by lifting service age of the pilots of Chittagong port to 60 years from 57.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) team probing irregularities in awarding container-handling job at Chittagong Port and extending retirement age of shipping pilots yesterday issued notices to nine people including former shipping secretary to appear before the committee for questioning and taking statements from witnesses.
A two-member Anti-Corruption Commission team will formally start today investigation into the alleged involvement of former adviser of the army-backed caretaker government Maj Gen (rtd) MA Matin in irregularities at the Chittagong port, port officials said.
Hundreds of workers and employees at Chittagong port abstained from work on Thursday demanding increased festival bonus, disrupting the cargo handling at the country's premier port.
The shipping ministry has sent the parliamentary findings on former adviser M A Matin's alleged irregularities in awarding a container handling work at Chittagong port to the Anticorruption Commission for legal action.
Shipping minister Shahjahan Khan has assured businessmen of a 'rational' cut in tariff and charge at Chittagong port.
A parliamentary body yesterday instructed the shipping ministry to ask the Anti-Corruption Commission to sue former shipping adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin and eight others for corruption in awarding a container handling deal at the Chittagong Port.
