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The Ministry of Commerce has dissolved the executive committee of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) to ensure the smooth operation of the organisation. Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Motakabbir Ahmed, has been appointed as the new administrator.
The decision was announced in a gazette notification from the Ministry of Commerce's Trade Organisation-2 branch on Monday (August 4).
The notification stated that the current ATAB committee won their election through an "illegal vote." It also cited allegations that the committee, in defiance of a directive from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, misappropriated funds from many shareholders through a platform called "ATAB Online."
The current president of the association's executive committee is facing multiple allegations of irregularities, and there have been public demonstrations and demands for the arrest of both the president and the secretary-general.
The government's action follows a request from the ATAB Reformation Council to dissolve the executive committee and appoint an administrator to ensure the proper functioning of the association.
According to the notification, the newly appointed administrator is tasked with updating the voter list and holding a fair and neutral election within the next 120 days. After the new committee is elected, the administrator will hand over the charge and notify the Ministry of Commerce.