It is unclear whether the non-cooperation of the communications ministry or the indifference of the subcommittee members has held back the investigation.

The subcommittees formed early last year were initially given one month's time to complete the investigations and later granted time extensions on several occasions, but they failed to produce a report in the last one year.

The chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on communications ministry has decided to form new probe bodies after dissolving the subcommittees in yesterday's standing committee meeting. But he could not execute the decision as the convenors and members of the subcommittees did not attend the meeting.

"I was mentally prepared to dissolve the subcommittees at today's meeting, but none of them (subcommittee members) turned up," Committee Chairman Syed Manjur Hossain told reporters after the meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

"I did not dissolve the subcommittees today as I should give a chance to them to explain their positions," he said. "I will ask them to submit their probe reports at the next meeting. If they fail again, then I will execute my decision."

The parliamentary standing committee formed a sub-committee to probe alleged irregularities in the import of CNG-run autorickshaws on January 7 last year comprising BNP lawmakers. The subcommittee was asked to submit its probe report in a month, but it could not complete the report even after getting time extension on four occasions.

Another sub-committee to probe irregularities in the allocation of land to set up CNG refuelling stations was formed on February 14 comprising BNP lawmakers. It was also asked to submit its probe report in a month, but it took time extension twice.

The subcommittees had earlier alleged that the communications ministry did not cooperate with the investigation. "But the ministry said it has submitted all necessary documents to the probe bodies," said the committee chairman.

The chairman said he had personally contacted the convenors and members of the subcommittees requesting them to attend the meeting. But they are busy with political programmes at their constituencies, he added.

The parliamentary standing committee, which is supposed to sit once in a month in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Jatiya Sangsad, held its meeting yesterday after a five-month break.

Committee Member and Awami League lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim at yesterday's meeting wanted to know the probe reports on CNG (compressed natural gas) autorickshaws and demanded discussion on the issue.

The parliamentary body however discussed the activities of railway and asked the ministry to submit a detailed report on railway lands at the next meeting. It also discussed the activities of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).