Biman job scams must be checked

October 21 must have been an embarrassing day for Bangladesh Biman. A recruitment examination for electricians, mechanics, welders, painters, operators, and tailors was suspended on that day when allegations of a question paper leak were brought to the fore. A report from this daily suggests that the leak was orchestrated not just by some lower-level officials, but the top brass of the organisation was also involved in it. Soon after the suspension of the examination, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation formed a probe committee. However, the committee was answerable to the managing director of Biman, and hence the latter was not even questioned during the investigation.

However, we're told that an army major who serves as general manager of the ground service equipment department, and also as general manager of the security department, was alleged to have been responsible for the leak, at least in part, according to confessional statements given by three different Biman motor transport operators. He was dubiously included in the committee formed to prepare the question paper along with two others, potentially to influence decision-making. In his confession, the major's driver said that he had handed him a set of question papers on the day before the recruitment test.

This story isn't really about low-level Biman officials who sold recruitment exam question papers, although their involvement shouldn't be discounted. But it's about the big fish and how they worked out a complex scheme over several months to ensure that the right people were present at the right moment to oversee a scam. Sadly, in most cases of corruption involving public institutions, the puppet masters in suits always remain behind the curtain and unaccountable, while it is the "mules" who end up in jail.

This is not an isolated incident of irregularities at Biman. News of the hiring of "controversial" and "underqualified" people as pilots and co-pilots came to the media a few months ago. An investigation report by an intelligence agency highlighted the scam in the hiring process. The airline carrier apparently ignored its own resources and appointed pilots from other airlines, most of whom had either been sacked or denied promotions due to a lack of skills, the report observed.

These kinds of irregularities in the recruitment processes – from leaking question papers to hiring substandard pilots – are inexcusable. Biman carries the flag of Bangladesh and should, therefore, uphold the highest integrity and professionalism possible. We urge the higher authorities to ensure that no party involved in the recruitment scams is spared. The lack of basic accountability and efficiency that Biman continues to exhibit every now and then must be checked. Critical reforms are necessary for Biman to make sure these kinds of irregularities are not repeated, and that the airline performs in a way that represents the dignity and pride of our nation.