Questions raised over irregular appointment, official residence use

Allegations of irregular appointment and abuse of authority have surfaced at Bangladesh Railway’s East Zone headquarters, where an upper-division assistant has reportedly been performing duties as the Personal Assistant (PA) to the General Manager without any official office order for more than six months.

Mahbub Alam, a 13th-grade staff member, has been occupying the PA post—despite government service rules requiring the position to be filled by a stenographer-cum-computer operator holding at least 11th-grade status, according to the approved organogram.

Sources inside the railway said Mahbub has been enjoying administrative privileges and access to sensitive files “well beyond his official mandate,” reportedly using the role to secure personal benefits and delay files at will. He has also been residing in officers’ quarters—EK-25—although non-officer staff are not permitted to live there.

No formal notification, posting order, or gazette has been issued for his PA role, insiders confirmed.

Speaking to this correspondent, Mahbub acknowledged the lack of documentation.

“I was verbally assigned the duty due to manpower shortage,” he said. “There is no one in the 11th grade available in the East Zone.”

When contacted, GM Subaktagin said Mahbub had been “assigned as PA,” but abruptly disconnected the call when asked about the absence of an office order.

Railway Director General termed the situation irregular. “A 13th-grade employee cannot perform duties of an 11th-grade post. This is clearly outside the rules. We will look into the matter,” he said.

Administrative irregularities and alleged misuse of authority within Bangladesh Railway’s East Zone have been recurring concerns in recent years. This latest complaint has once again put the spotlight on accountability and transparency in the state-run transport entity.