Sources said this period could alone account for over Tk 20,000 crore of alleged embezzlement out of the total unresolved audit objections involving Tk 28,000 crore during the 1971-2002 period.

Due to the heavy backlog, Pac decided to share the workload with Cag and Pac will deal with the cases from 1990 to 2002. The committee will discuss its overall progress on October 31, said Harun Al Rashid, a committee member.

"We have asked the comptroller and auditor general's office to dispose of pending objections and recover public money or suggest ways to take actions against those responsible. CAG will clear up as many cases as possible and inform the committee about its progress every two months," Rashid told The Daily Star after a meeting at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday.

Pac also formed a subcommittee to find the 'culprits' in misappropriation of over Tk 12 crore in purchase of medicine and equipment in 16 offices of civil surgeons, blaming high officials of the health ministry for the 'robbery'.

The five-member subcommittee was asked to submit its probe report in 15 days so that Pac can discuss the report at its next meeting scheduled for April 21.

Quoting audit reports, Pac said the civil surgeon's offices in Sherpur, Jessore, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Tangail, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Sunamganj, Chapainawabganj, Bagerhat, Barisal and Bhola bought medical equipment during financial years 1995-96 and 1997-1998 at much higher prices.

It said the civil surgeons bought leucoplasts at Tk 845 against the market price of Tk 105, slides at Tk 850 against Tk 90, gloves at Tk 145 against Tk 10, disposable syringes at up to Tk 14 against Tk 3 and tissue paper at Tk 790 against Tk 40.

"Clearly, this is robbery of the state's money. The money should be recovered and the guilty punished," Rashid said.

The committee chairman also hinted that the 'corrupt' civil surgeons and officials might be summoned to the committee meeting.