All this happened when the BJMC was counting huge losses every year and suspended production in as many as eight of the 22 mills due to fund crunch, Jute and Textile Minister Shajahan Siraj recently told parliament.

"The transport cost is very minimal compared to the huge losses that the BJMC incurs. But this money could have been saved as most of the car users have already had cars," said a BJMC official, wishing anonymity.

"If the government tries to find out the reason for the loss, it will find much more unusual cost," he added. "But who will bell the cat when most of the people are corrupt and the system is so bad?" the official asked.

According to the financial statement of the BJMC, its total loss stood at Tk 224 crore in 2004-05 financial year (FY), which was Tk 174.52 crore in FY 2003-04. In addition to that, it had to bear the extra cost for the minister and other high officials. From 1996-97 to May 2005, the loss totalled Tk 2,513 crore.

The minister, secretary, deputy secretary, personal secretary to the minister, former state minister, ex-chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry, and the police used those vehicles, sources said. They added many of them have had government cars from other institutions, while many others are not entitled to government cars.

Of the 12 cars, the BJMC provided 10 while two others were taken from other institutions although the BJMC bore all expenses.

In two financial years, the BJMC spent Tk 33.36 lakh on fuel and maintenance of the 12 cars. It also spent Tk 16.80 lakh on the salaries of the drivers.

According to the sources, the former state minister, ex-chairman of the parliamentary committee, the personal secretary and the public relations officer of the minister recently returned six vehicles.