A number of Adivashi (aboriginal) people of Shailkupa upazila in Jhenaidah had brought allegation of bribe and corruption against the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), his two office assistants and president of an aboriginal people’s association. The allegation was brought in a press conference at Jhenaidah Press Club on Thursday.
Dilip Kumar Biswas, member of Kumiradah Adivashi Sramajibi Samabaya Samity, read out written statement at the press conference.
He alleged that UNO Saiful Islam, his two office staffs Ismail Hossain and Mintu and president of Satata adivashi Samajkalyan Sangstha president Ram Sarkar had collected Taka 50 thousand from each ten persons of the Adivashi men who were allocated for housing programme (Ashrayan Prokalpa-2) of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the fiscal of 2019-20.
Dilip Kumar Biswas said that the Prime Minister had allocated Taka 2.20 lakh for each of the house for the aboriginal people where the UNO in collaboration with Ram Sarkar had realized Taka 50 thousand to 60 thousand for each house. Ismail Hossain and Mintu played role in collecting the money.
He said those who did not pay the amount for their houses, were deprived from the allocation. Two adivashi society members were provided with the house, while six society members were deprived, the press conference stated.
The adivashi men also mentioned following corruption in Ashrayan Prokalpa house project by Shailkupa UNO Saiful Islam, they sent a letter to the deputy commissioner of Jhenidah seeking his interference where they said the evil doing was furnished with cooperation of adivashi leader Ram Sarkar. They also demanded the removal of UNO Saiful Islam and two office staffs Ismail Hossain and Mintu at no delay.
Adivashi samabaya samity leaders Kamal Chandra Das, Kumar Sarkar, Shambhu Sardar and Gopal Biswas among others present.
It may be noted that another allegation of defalcation of cash and rice was brought against the said UNO Saiful Islam when he had allegedly involved in grabbing Taka five thousand and 30 kilograms of rice allocated for 13 persons who fallen victim of Gorai River erosion at Baruria village of the upazila.
When this correspondent tried to contact UNO Saiful Islam over his cell phone for his comments in several attempts, he did not receive the phone calls o Thursday afternoon.
