Transparency International Bangladesh yesterday expressed concern over a government initiative to buy a railway engine from a particular company ignoring the procurement act.

Following related reports published in the news media yesterday, theanti-graft body demanded that the government obey the law and purchase the engine through a competitive tenderingproccss.

The tender notice for the purchase imposed a condition that only one company could bid for it. said TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman in a statement.

This condition is against section 13 of the public procurement act and the character of international bidding, he said.

Iftekharuzzaman remarked that it is an example of complete ignorance on the part of the railways ministry, adding that it points to the railway sector being stripped of modernisation and illegal privileges offered to a section of people.

The engine’s model is very old and its fuel cost is high. Besides, it is a two-stroke engine, meaning that it is not environment friendly, he said.

He added that the attempt to buy the engine this way was unlawful and ill • motivated.