Biman irregularities at overseas stations

DHAKA: Massive corruptions and irregularities have taken a serious turn at some overseas stations of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Sources informed that some identified people are involved in corruption taking advantages of influential connection. As a result corruptions have become a go of the day at these stations located in Singapore, London, Bangkok, Riyadh, Qatar, Kwait and Dubai stations, sources added.

There are allegations of fraudulences and even sex- scandals beside reckless corruptions at these stations known as the money -mine. But no actions were taken against the responsible persons though the allegations were proved correct several times.

Sources said that the scandals coming out have crossed all past records. Situations have worsened since a First Officer of Biman Nazrul Shamim took the charges to look after the affairs of these stations.

Banglanews findings revealed that Nazrul Shamim is the close friend of Zubair, son of Biman Chairman Zamaluddin Ahmed.

One marketing department official of Biman told Banglanews that Shamsul Karim working at London office is the most fortunate person among all so far worked there. He worked there as the station manager at a stretch for five years which earned him the citizenship of Britain.

That marketing department official told that though there is no rule to serve at foreign stations not more than three years but Shamsul Karim with the blessings of Biman chairman accrued extra luck  through Nazrul Shamim.  Though several attempts were made from marketing department to withdraw him but went into vain. Despite allegations of offences and negligence of duties Shamsul remained in his post years together with the help of Nazrul.

Due to the negligence of Shamsul Karim in 2011 LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam fell in distress while he was flying to London in a Biman aircraft. Biman had to face losses as the aircraft had no earlier preparations to tackle snow- storm. Even the Minister had to travel to Brussels by train for the negligence of Shamsul Karim.

Shamsul Karim took the posting of station manager at Manchester with the rank of Assistant General Manager. Since then he did not look back. Very rapidly he got the charge of the Country Manager at London and stayed there for five years after grabbing promotions one by one.

There are allegations against him of huge revenue misappropriations giving excess luggage facilities. He is known in the Biman as a corruption lord. It is a mystery why he was retained at London station for five years. Was there no competent person than him in Biman? Answering to this one Director of the national flag carrier on condition of anonymity, “at foreign stations without the blessings of Chairman no one can stay for a moment after the expiry of his tenure.”

Though that Director quipped straight answer when asked why the Chairman showered blessings on him, an air-hostess told that, “why not! Chairman is getting regular ‘monthly cash’ along with costly gifts through Nazrul Shamim. Though the air-hostess not interested to disclose her name mentioned a list of gifts which included – Shoes of Russel and Romel, Pink shirts, silk -tie, Rado watch, cartiar perfume etc. Besides, Shamsul Karim used to send powder milk for Chairman’s grand-son regularly through cabin crew.

In this way Shamsul captured the British citizenship taking the opportunity of staying in Britain for five years without break. After completion of his long overstay he was called back. To this a CBA leader expressing his strong resentment said that Biman reared up this officer at London for such a long time to help him for his citizenship. He Further informed that the replacement of Shamsul Alam is also an identified corrupt in Biman who was country manager in Delhi.

Singapore station is the next safe station for corruption after London station. Arifur Rahman is the country manager at Singapore who is here for last three years. He is also accused of extracting regular commission from the travel agencies and excess luggage income.

Sources said that this Arifur Rahman was once a cader of BNP’s student wing and one of his brothers is the body-guard of an influential leader of city BNP. This Arif was promoted as DGM at Singapore station breaking all past records.

He was sent to Singapore with the status of manager as a reward for disclosing information about the Biman officers during 1/11 period. Next just after completion of three years he was promoted as DGM.

A former DGM of Biman human resources department informed that Arif superseded a number of managers just after three years though there are officers serving for at least ten to fifteen years. For this promotion a strong resentment has created among the deprived Biman officers Banglanews investigations reveals that Nazrul Shamim has also played a role here in this case of Arif. Nazrul Shamim is a regular guest of Arif in Singapore. Even when Chairman along with his wife were guests of Arif. Chairman couple attended a dinner at Arif’s residence where they were entertained with salmon fish.

Sources said that wife of Arif gave Chairman’s wife gifts lavishly at Mostofa Center shopping mall. As soon as Chairman couple returned from Singapore Nazrul Shamim started promotion recommendation of Arif. That worked as a magic.

Kazi, the country manager at Dubai similarly is blessed with the Biman top bosses. Nazrul Shamim brings cashew- nut, Al-harmine attar and pistachio regularly from him for Biman top-notches. Kazi is waiting for next speedy promotion through Nazrul.

But the most discussed lady in Biman is Tanzila posted as country -manager at Bangkok station. She is so much lucky that she althrough served outside the country after she got job in Biman.

Sources informed that Tanzila has been misappropriating huge revenue regularly giving undue facilities for carrying excess luggage. One of her plundering story was detected recently at Shahjalal International Airport. But no action was taken against her though there were several reports in the newspapers on that incident.

The source further informed that in a board meeting held last week one member demanded punishment for that incident of Tanzila but it ended up with the decision of taking action after proper enquiry.

But a responsible source informed that another Biman official Kamal faced the wrath of the authority for similar offence committed by Tanzila. The source continued that the Chairman withdrew Kamal by an unilateral order without enquiry. Karim, Misbah of Riyadh and Nasrin Amin of Kwuait were withdrawn as soon as complains reached Dhaka authority. Chairman did not take cognizance of any recommendations about those cases.

 Investigations found that these unfortunates had to pay heavily as they failed to win the heart of Nazrul Shamim who is identified as the toll collector of Chairman. While Tanzila remain unhurt as she could satisfy Nazrul Shamim.

BDST: 2214 HRS, June 25, 2012
Shahjahan