Citing a report of the comptroller and auditor general (CAG), the subcommittee on public accounts said the allocation of the two plots at much lower than contemporary regular prices caused a loss of Tk 12 crore to the government.

Both plots were sold at Tk 3 lakh per acre (1 acre equals over 3 bighas or nearly 65 kathas) as against the regular price of Tk 10.70 lakh a katha in 1994 and Tk 15 lakh a katha in 1998. The Rajuk co-operative has built a shopping complex on the land.

In a show cause notice, the Office of the CAG asked the secretary of the ministry to respond to its findings of financial anomalies in allocation of the plots, but the ministry never responded.

The subcommittee, formed on December 13 to probe the allegations, asked the authorities concerned to submit all relevant documents to it to file lawsuit against those responsible for authorising the unlawful allocations.

In its report, the subcommittee also asked Rajuk to take action against those responsible for not implementing a Rajuk inquiry report in this regard.

The subcommittee will again discuss its report in its next meeting.

Yesterday's meeting also discussed some other audit objections involving education, health, communication and agriculture ministries.

Committee Chairman Harun Al Rashid presided. Committee members and officials concerned were present.