Gas Crisis at Titas amid alleged Tk 1,000 crore corruption

A written complaint has reportedly been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), alleging financial irregularities involving hundreds of crores of taka. Sources familiar with the matter said the anti-graft agency has initiated steps to examine the allegations

As Bangladesh grapples with a worsening gas shortage, serious allegations of large-scale corruption, bribery, irregular recruitment, abuse of power and alleged money laundering have surfaced against Shahnewaz Parvez, managing director of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd.

A written complaint has reportedly been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), alleging financial irregularities involving hundreds of crores of taka. Sources familiar with the matter said the anti-graft agency has initiated steps to examine the allegations.

The allegations have emerged at a time when gas shortages are disrupting industrial production and causing hardship for residential consumers across the country.

According to sources, daily demand for gas is around 3,800 million cubic feet (mmcfd), while supply has fallen to roughly 2,114–2,151 mmcfd. The shortfall has reportedly reduced industrial production by between 20% and 50% in some areas, while households in Dhaka and elsewhere are experiencing low pressure or prolonged interruptions in gas supply.

Supply shortage deepens hardship

Titas sources said areas under the company’s distribution network require roughly 2,000 million cubic feet of gas a day, while actual supply has remained below 1,500 million cubic feet.

Consumers living at the far ends of the distribution network—including parts of Mohammadpur, Mirpur and Dhanmondi—have reportedly been receiving little or no gas for significant periods of the day.

Sources also said water entering damaged or cracked pipelines has further complicated the situation in some areas.

Against this backdrop, allegations of irregularities within Titas have raised concerns about whether weaknesses in the distribution system are being compounded by administrative and financial misconduct.

Alleged irregularities in recruitment

According to the complaint submitted to the ACC, Shahnewaz Parvez joined Petrobangla in 1999 in a first-class position without sitting for a written examination, allegedly using political influence.

The complaint also alleges that he did not submit the required equivalency certificate for a three-year BTech degree obtained from a foreign institution.

These allegations could not be independently verified from official recruitment or academic records.

The complaint further alleges that during his long tenure in Petrobangla’s Contract Department, Parvez built an influential network that allegedly facilitated irregularities in contracting and other activities.

Tk 750 crore allegation over gas connections

One of the most serious allegations concerns new gas connections and load increases for industrial establishments in Savar, Gazipur and Narayanganj.

According to the complaint, irregularities involving around 150 new connections and load-enhancement cases resulted in the collection of approximately Tk 750 crore.

The complaint also alleges that at least Tk 30 crore was collected every month from around 1,500 illegal gas connections.

However, there is no independent verification of these figures, nor has a direct financial link between the alleged collections and Shahnewaz Parvez been established.

Offshore bidding controversy

The complaint also raises allegations concerning an offshore bidding round conducted during Parvez’s tenure in Petrobangla’s Contract Department. It alleges that international bidding procedures were not properly followed and that certain multinational companies were discouraged while preferential treatment was allegedly sought for an Indian company.

The complaint further alleges that Parvez had links with former Petrobangla chairman Janendranath Sarker and was involved in abuse of authority, violations of seniority rules in promotions and harassment of colleagues.

These allegations also require verification through official records and relevant procurement and bidding documents.

Previous complaints and investigations

Ministry-related sources said allegations against Parvez had previously been investigated on several occasions.

However, the sources alleged that the findings of those investigations were not made public and that no visible disciplinary action followed.

The reasons for any such decisions, if investigations were indeed conducted, remain unclear.

Titas MD denies wrongdoing

Asked about the allegations, Shahnewaz Parvez said a particular group had submitted various complaints against him to the ministry and that those allegations had been investigated.

However, he said he was not aware of what action the ministry had taken following those investigations. He did not provide further details regarding the specific allegations.

ACC urged to establish the facts

The complaint filed with the ACC has called for an impartial investigation into the allegations of corruption and irregularities involving the Titas MD.

According to sources at the anti-graft agency, steps have been taken to look into the complaint. The allegations come at a particularly sensitive time for Titas and its consumers. With gas shortages already affecting industries and households, consumers and some Titas officials are calling for an independent examination of the company’s internal operations, distribution network and alleged irregularities.

If the allegations are substantiated, those responsible should face appropriate legal action, the complainants have said. At the same time, as the allegations are currently subject to investigation, their veracity and the extent of any individual’s involvement remain to be established through official records and due legal process.