A taskforce has been formed to investigate irregularities and corruption in various projects within the Information and Communication Technology sector and to prepare a white paper on the matter.
Economist Professor Dr. Niaz Asadullah will serve as the head of both the taskforce and the white paper committee.
Members of the committee include Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain, legal expert Barrister Afzal Jami Syed Ali, technology expert Mahmud Salam Maruf, and journalist Md. Shariat Ullah.
Additionally, technology expert Asif Shahriar Sushmit will serve as the chief coordinator.
Regarding the terms of reference of the taskforce, the gazette states that the taskforce has been formed with expert individuals to investigate irregularities and mismanagement in the ICT sector and to publish an ICT white paper.
Furthermore, this taskforce will scrutinize all types of agreements and project DPPs (Development Project Proformas), all audit reports, and investigation reports related to the division’s activities during the previous government’s tenure.
The ‘ICT White Paper Taskforce’ will submit a summary and detailed report of all findings by June 21, 2015; the members of the taskforce will receive honorariums/sitting allowances in accordance with the rules, and the Information and Communication Technology Division will provide logistical and other necessary support to the taskforce. Deputy Secretary of the Division, Md. Abu Naser, will provide secretarial support to the taskforce.
Taskforce head Professor Dr. Niaz Asadullah is a Bangladeshi development economist and academic. It is to be noted that the gazette regarding the formation of the taskforce was published on April 17th.