Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- The Ministry of Public Administration is set to receive 31 luxury vehicles imported under duty-free privileges by former members of parliament (MPs).

The decision was made at an inter-ministerial meeting after the Chattogram Port Authority failed to secure expected bids for the cars in an auction.

Officials have decided to hand the vehicles over to the ministry "in the public interest".

Following the meeting, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a special order on Wednesday approving the transfer.

The order, however, includes a condition that if any of the original importers later choose to clear their cars by paying applicable duties, the ministry must return those vehicles.

The cars were brought in by MPs of...