Mahmudul Hasan
A complaint has been filed against Hafizur Rahman Selim, Chairman of Upazila No. 7 Boro Alampur Union Parishad (UP) of Rangpur, for embezzling government money by not implementing projects in Pirganj, Rangpur and showing non-existent projects.
Recently, 8 members of the union, Harun Mia, Shimul, Tahajul, Shahin, Maryam, Fatema, Ashraful and Abu Taher, along with local resident Rezaul, signed a complaint with the Upazila Executive Officer seeking investigation and punishment for various irregularities and corruption, including distrust.
It was learned on the spot that 4 projects allocated to LGSP-3 in the last 2022-2023 fiscal year were implemented on paper and in writing. The UP Chairman withdrew the money allocated for the project after the projects were 100% completed. Not only that, he has withdrawn a total of 4 lakh 18 thousand 152 taka from 3 projects through fake master rolls by making his younger brother Hafiz Abdun Nur Sohel the contractor in the project. These projects did not exist on the spot.
He has withdrawn and embezzled 75 thousand taka of the allocated amount without providing income-enhancing freelancing training for the unemployed youth of the union, 2 lakh taka of the allocated amount in the name of setting up an amusement park on the bank of the pond of the union parishad without completing the work, and 1 lakh 43 thousand 152 taka of the allocated amount for setting up CCTV cameras in and around Patnichara Bazar, totaling 4 lakh 18 thousand 152 taka. In addition, there have been allegations of withdrawing 24 thousand taka for the honorarium of delivery midwives located at the health center.
Locals allege that UP Chairman Selim Mia has committed these irregularities and corruption by showing the influence of the Awami League party and the former speaker. Again, many say that the Qazi’s cows are in the book, not in the cowshed. Local conscious circles see this as a widespread tactic of wastage of government money and irregularities and corruption. They demand that legal action be taken against those involved after investigation. People from various professions of the union have complained to various departments in this regard.
In addition, there was an allocation of 3 lakh taka in the name of Shaheed Minar within the Union Parishad premises, and there are also allegations that the Union Parishad forcibly collected bricks, cement, sand and bricks from the brick kilns from the contractors engaged in the renovation, and the Shaheed Minar is under construction, but UP Chairman Selim Mia has withdrawn the allocated 3 lakh taka by showing the project completed on paper and embezzled it.
Some local residents of Baro Alampur Union, who do not want to be named, said that during the tenure of the current chairman, there was no allocation, now I have heard that the union chairman is spending all the allocated money without doing any work. There is no need for such a corrupt chairman in the Union Parishad, I want his punishment and removal.
When asked about these matters from Boro Alampur Union Parishad Secretary Ashraful Alam, he said that the chairman had taken several papers from him for signature. However, all the allocated money is with the chairman. I have also been asking the chairman for work for a long time. He is taking his time saying that he will do it. I am also in great danger due to this. However, after showing that all the work of the project was completed on paper, UP Chairman Selim Mia has withdrawn and embezzled all the money from the project by showing Chairman Selim Mia’s younger brother Hafiz Abdun Noor as the contractor.
In this regard, Shimul Mia, a member of Ward No. 2 of the Union Parishad, said that I myself was the president of three projects, and the UP Chairman withdrew and embezzled the money from the project without telling me anything.
Suruj Tara, a reserved female member of Ward No. 7, 8, and 9 of the union, was the president of several projects. When asked about why the work was not done, she said that the money was withdrawn, but the work will be done and the chairman knows everything. I do not know much.
When asked about the work of the project to UP members of Wards 9 and 8, Ashraful Alam and Abu Taher, they said that it is true that no work has been done on these projects, but we do not know what the chairman did after withdrawing the project money. Other UP members also said that the chairman withdrew the money for these projects, but no work has been done.
In this regard, Boro Alampur Union Parishad Chairman Hafizur Rahman Selim Mia told the media that he has no comment on this matter.
In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khadija Begum told the media that various complaints of irregularities have been received against the Union Parishad Chairman and an investigation committee has been formed, and action will be taken subject to investigation.
In this regard, Deputy Director (Deputy Secretary) of Rangpur Local Government, Raihan Kabir told the media that complaints have been received against the Boro Alampur UP Chairman, and legal action will be taken after investigation.