The shipping ministry and its parliamentary watchdog were at loggerheads yesterday over exemption of TK 14.69 crore penal charges against different importers by the minister himself.

Shipping Minister Akabr Hossain told a meeting of the standing committee on his ministry that he had exempted the penal charges applying his special power.

"But is it necessary to discuss the matter here (at the parliamentary body meeting) when I, as being

the minister, have exempted the charges in my special jurisdiction," Akbar told the committee members at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, according to a member of the committee.

The committee members, however, were far from being convinced with the explanation and decided to discuss the issue further at its next meeting.

Earlier, Chittagong Port Chairman AMM Shahadat Hossain placed a report before the meeting that stated a number of importers

were exempted from paying about TK 14.69 crore in penal charges in between July 2002 and May this year.

The exemption, ranging from 50100 percent of the penal charges, was offered for quick release of containers in a bid to resolve the container and cargo congestion at the port, the report said.

When a member wanted to know more about the move, both shipping secretary and port chairman tried to come up with 'explanations'. But

the minister stopped the two, asking the committee if it was necessary at all to discuss the matter.

"The minister informed us that the penal rate has been exempted in accordance with the rules," committee Chairman GM Seraj told reporters after the meeting, "We will discuss it in details at the next meeting."

Seraj, a ruling BNP lawmaker, said, "There may be some irregularities in the process. But what can we do when both ministry and importers commit a crime with an understanding?"

Meanwhile, main opposition Awami League (AL) lawmaker ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury termed the minister's action abuse of power.

"The minister tried to defend his action on the grounds that the exemption were offered in case of perishable items, which required quick release from the port. But there was other items like marble, plastic, cotton and fabrics, sanitary goods, machinery and vehicles," he said.

Another BNP lawmaker Abul Hossain Khan said, "The next meeting will find out whether there was any irregularity. No-one will be spared, if found guilty."

The meeting also discussed the proposed third Karnaphuli bridge in Chittagong and land-grabbing at the Chittagong and Mongla ports. It formed two sub committees to check leasing processes of lands at the two seaports.

Committee members MA Matin, M Nurul Islam, Nasirul Haq Sabu and Mohammad Ali Sarker were present at