Three officials of Jhenaidah municipality have allegedly defalcated over Taka 84 lakh as against 37 works for Taka 9.75 lakh of the municipality between June 1 and October 4 of 2011. The money was withdrawn from Sonali Bank Limited against the account number 316 and Janata bank Limited Jhenaidah branch against the official account number 142503.
It was stated from the internal audit report prepared by local government ministry and Jhenaiddah municipality. Ex municipality secretary Ajmal Hossain, administrative officer Asaduzzaman Chand and accounts officer Mokhesur Rahman have been blaming each other for the misdeeds.
Immediate past Jhenaidah municipality mayor Saidul Karaim Mintu realizing the situation on of
fraudulent activities by some of his office men had sent a letter to the deputy director of local government (poura 1) on June 27 of 2021. He had suggested to transfer the said staffs and take necessary actions against them.
The mayor had stated that administrative officer Asaduzzaman Chand had withdrawn Taka 31.44 lakh against 12 works of the municipality illegally. He had defalcated Taka 28 lakh through fraudulent activities.
The letter said Asaduzzaman Chand had joined as a storekeeper and promoted to head assistant of the municipality. Later he was finally promoted to administrative officer serving in the same station for 20 years. He had changed the figure n the bank cheques. Immediate transfer of the staff was recommended on the letter.
Th sources said having the letter from mayor Saidul Karim Mintu, local government ministry deputy secretary Mohammad farooque Hossain vide his letter number 46.00.0000.063.27.001.14.678 of August 12 on 2021 had requested the local government deputy director in the office of the deputy commissioner of Jhenaidah to investigate in to the matter and submit report accordingly.
But no measure was taken after five months of the issuance of the letter.
It was alleged that ex municipality secretary Azamal Hossain and accounts officer Mokhlesur Rahman are also involve with the fraudulent activities in money defalcation.
Some municipality staffs requesting anonymity, said Asaduzzaman Chand, the mastermind in the evil activities did not deposit the income tax and value added tax (VAT) collected form the cattle markets for continuous five years when Mayor Saidul Karim Mintu took the charge.
The sources said the money was withdrawn against bank cheques issued against administrative officer Asaduzzaman Chand, executive engineer Kamal Hossain, sanitary inspector Sankar Nandi, engineer Munshi Abu Jafar, accountant Mokhlesur Rahman, Delwar Hossain, Saidur Rahman,
conservancy inspector Shamsul Islam, ward councilor Tofazzel Hossain, Motleb Mia, Shahina Mousumi, Saiful Islam Madhu, Bashir Uddin, Rabiul Islam and bill clerk Anwar Hossain.
When contacted for comments, administrative officer Asaduzzaman Chand said he was not involved in any fraudulent activities. Accounts officer Mokhesur Rahman might do it. In the other hand Mokhlesur Rahman had blamed administrative officer Asaduzzaman Chand, ex secretary Azamal Hossain and executive engineer.
Ex secretary Azmal Hossain was not available over phone then.
Local government deputy director in Jhenaidah Yearul Islam when contacted said he could not say anything as the matter was under investigation.