LGRD Secretary Abdul Malek gets extravagant reception in Patuakhali

Lights, placards and festoons virtually enveloped Patuakhali as a ‘grand reception’ has been accorded to LGRD acting Secretary Abdul Malek on his visit to his hometown.

Dozens of arches were erected on key spots and the government offices in the town were cleansed for Malek’s visit on Saturday.
 
Some say even ministers are not given such an extravagant welcome, while others see ‘personal interests’ behind the ‘grand show’.
 
Awami League leaders, government officials, elected representatives of the local government units passed a busy week preparing for the secretary’s visit.
 
The organisers, however, refused to divulge the expenditure incurred for Malek’s two-day visit starting Saturday.
 
A government official seeking anonymity said, “In my 23 years of career as public servant, I have never seen such arrangement.”
 
He said it was wrong if public money was spent for the reception.
 
Another official of the Upazila Parishad said he could not understand why a secretary was accorded such a reception.
 
A top leader of ruling Awami League’s Patuakhali district unit said, “Each of the organisers has personal interest behind it. Otherwise they would not have arranged this grand reception.”