Bangladesh Pilgrims and Hajji Welfare Council demanded removal and probe against the Managing Director (MD) of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines bringing charges of irregularities and financial corruption against the state-owned air transport authority boss.
At a press conference held in Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium on Sunday, its President Dr Abdullah Al Naser claimed that Biman authority has proposed its plane fare Tk 1.35 lakh (equivalent to US$ 1,633) for each of the pilgrims this year. The plane fare was Tk 1,24,723 (equivalent to US$ 1,475) last year. It's more than 10,000 higher than the previous year.
"The Biman carries its Dhaka-Jeddah-Dhaka bound passengers at Tk 45,000 each normally. As the Biman does not get return passengers during the Hajj period, it can take double fare from the pilgrims. But, it's taking three times more than the normal period during Hajj period. The decision of the Biman authority is illogical," he added.
However, the third carriers - the middle-east based airlines - normally carry Dhaka-Jeddah-Dhaka bound passengers at only Tk 39,000 to Tk 42,000. These carriers can carry the pilgrims at highest Tk 75,000 to Tk 80,000 during the Hajj period, Naser added.
He claimed that Biman authority has taken the decision to carry the pilgrims with three-time higher fare to embezzle around Tk 350 crore along with the Saudi Arabian Airlines. The pilgrims will have to pay more than Tk 55,000 extra for the decision.
Blaming the Biman MD for the misuse and laundering of the huge amount of money, Naser demanded his removal from the office and conduct probe about his corruption with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
He also sought the Prime Minister intervention on fixing the plane fare for the pilgrims considering their financial capacity.
Council's General Secretary Abdul Baten, Vice President Mostafizur Rahman, Joint Secretary Azad Hossain and Md. Kamruzzaman were also present the press conference.
