Depriving competent officials, a syndicate, led by three joint secretaries, has reportedly orchestrated appointment of highly corrupt suspects and beneficiaries of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina-led government.
Disgruntled deputy secretaries alleged that joint secretaries KM Ali Azam, Md Rahed Hossain and Dr Ziauddin Ahmed played a key role in appointment of ‘controversial’ officials as new deputy commissioners of different districts, taking a huge amount of bribe.
Some DC aspirants suspect that these three batch mates in a deep- rooted conspiracy foisted the whole blame on the interim government.
However, top brass of the interim government was in the dark about appointment of controversial DCs.
Many deprived officials accused the three joint secretaries of taking Tk 2 crore for posting of some DCs.
Around Tk 25 crore in bribe was taken for appointment of some controversial officials as DCs on Monday and Tuesday, deprived officials alleged.
The Bangladesh Post could not independently verify the claim for taking bribe by the three joint secretaries for appointment of some controversial officials and DCS.
Md Rahed Hossain denied all allegations brought against him and said, “I am totally unaware of it. How could I know if someone would have taken bribes.”
However, he admitted that he was the batch mate of Joint Secretary KM Ali Azam who acted as the member secretary of the committee formed to prepare the DC fit list.
Joint Secretary Dr Ziauddin Ahmed also brushed aside allegations against him.
He said, “I am not involved in appointment of DCs. There is a committee to prepare fit list for DCs.”
The list was sent to the chief adviser and from the list DCs were appointed with random selection.
He however said, “I also heard there are some controversies over a few appointments.”
About taking bribes, he said, “I have no father, no mother and no family. What shall I do with money.”
According to sources in the secretariat, Nafisa Arefin of 24th BCS administration cadre became DC in Gazipur district. Her husband, also a 24th BCS cadre, worked as Private Secretary to former commerce minister Ahasanul Islam Titu.
Mahbub Rahaman was made DC in Rajshahi district. After the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television carried out its globally circulated investigative report against autocratic Sheikh Hasina titled ‘All Prime Minister’s Men’, Awami League and its front organization leaders, supporters and activists had published post in social media titled ‘We all are Sheikh Hasina’s Men’.
Violating the government service rules, Mahbub also published same political post describing him as Prime Minister’s man.
Rajib Kumar Sarker was made Natore DC. His father-in-law Jatin Kumar Sarker was a leader of Natore district Awami League.
Abdul Aziz was made Shariatpur DC. He was Private Secretary to the former state minister for planning Shamsul Islam.
Kamrul Islam Mollah was made Faridpur DC. His uncle Ismail Hossian was founding president of a local chapter of Awami League.
He is the brother-in-law of Tanvir Ahmed, who was also made Dhaka’s DC after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.
Md Saiduzzaman was made Joypurhat DC. He organised picnic on February 21 while he was UNO of Delduar upazila in Tangail district.
He was withdrawn amid massive protests over organising picnic on International Mother Language Day.
He was also accused of corruption while he was assistant commissioner in Dhaka.
Tarafder Mahmudur Rahman was made Shepur DC. He was involved in Chhatra League politics.
Nayeruzzaman was made Panchagarh DC. He was Private Secretary to former NBR chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem for around six years. Muneem was well known as one of the top beneficiaries of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Banani Biswas was made Netrakona DC. She was accused of corruption while working as Chief Executive Officer of Mymensingh Zila Parishad.
Her husband Dr Bibek had links with pro-Awami League doctors’ organisation Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad.
Sharmin Akter Jhahan was made Narail DC. She was member-secretary to the appointment committee formed by the health ministry. According to media reports, there was massive corruption in the appointment in the health ministry during the AL government.
Farhana Islam was made Kushtia DC. He was very close to former shipping minister and AL presidium member Shajahan Khan.
She also worked as TV presenter in Gazi TV channel, owned by former jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi.
Chowdhury Moazzem Ahmed was made Gaibandha DC. He was working in cabinet division for a long time. His family members are involved in Awami League politics.
Khandaker Istiaq was made Noakhali DC. He was working in cabinet division for more than five years. His family members are also the supporters of Awami League.
Monir Hossain Hawlader was made Sirajganj DC. He was UNO of Bhandaria upazila of Pirojpur district. But he was withdrawn for his involvement in the incident where a teacher was forced to beg pardon touching the leg of a magistrate.
In a latest development, the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday cancelled the appointments of eight newly appointed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) out of 59.
The announcement was made by Senior Secretary Dr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman at a press briefing held at the Secretariat.
The selection committee conducted a thorough review and prepared a fit list for the appointment, Dr. Rahman explained. The committee held a meeting on Wednesday and following an immediate review, appointment of eight DCs was cancelled.
The districts are: Lakshmipur, Joypurhat, Kushtia, Rajshahi, Shariatpur, Sirajganj, Rajbari, and Dinajpur.
However, deprived deputy secretaries demanded cancellation of two latest notifications issued for appointment of DCs.
