ACC finds coal gone from Barapukuria

In primary investigation, an Anti-Corruption Commission team visiting the Barapukuria coal mine has found that allegations of coal missing from the mine are likely to be true.

ACC Deputy Director Benazir Ahmed who spoke to reporters after the visit on Monday afternoon said the stock of coal at the mine was far smaller than what the records said.

“There should have been 146,000 metric tons of coal, but in reality there is only 2,000 metric tons,” he said.

“If our investigation reveals that the allegations are true, legal action will be taken.”

The Barapukuria thermal power plant in Dinajpur, which runs on coal from the mine, was shut down on Sunday night. The northern districts are facing possible frequent outages due to this.

Also Read- Barapukuria power plant shut down after 142,000 tons of coal disappear

Allegations emerged this week that massive amounts of coal had gone missing from the coal mine. Initial reports said 142,000 tons of coal was missing.

BCMCL Managing Director Md Habib Uddin Ahmed has been withdrawn by Petrobangla, while the company's Secretary (GS Administration) Md Abul Quashem Pradhania has been transferred to the Pashchimanchal Gas Distribution Company Ltd.

BCMCL Mining Department General Manager ATS Nuruzzaman Chowdhury and Deputy General Manager Md Khademul have been suspended.