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principle and that the price would be known after final approval from the purchase committee.

The move comes amid continued criticism of Rab at home and abroad over allegations of human rights violations.

The interim government’s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances has recommended abolishing Rab and submitted its report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. International rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have also called for the force to be disbanded.

Against this backdrop, questions have been raised about the procurement as the interim government nears the end of its tenure.

Home Ministry Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani defended the decision to avoid open tendering, saying, “We are keeping government money within the government.”

He said Pragati Industries, Bangladesh’s first vehicle-manufacturing company, is state-owned, which is why the ministry opted to procure the vehicles from the company.

According to the home ministry proposal, the vehicles will be procured under the project “Enhancement of Rab Forces’ Operational Capability (1st Revised),” implemented by Rab under Bangladesh Police with government funding.

The vehicles are needed in FY2025–26 to address shortages and strengthen Rab’s capacity to maintain law and order ahead of the upcoming election, said the proposal.

It noted that the Open Tendering Method would take time and sought approval under Section 68 of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2006, citing urgent necessity to proceed through direct procurement.

The document added that the Finance Division has consented to the procurement plan and that the Economic Affairs Committee recommended in-principle approval.

The project was initiated in 2018 during the previous Awami League government and approved by Ecnec on November 7 that year. It is scheduled to run from December 1, 2018, to December 31, 2026.