The committee led by Law Advisor Asif Nazrul will submit a report in 10 days
Published : 10 Oct 2024, 01:55 AM
A committee has been instituted to investigate allegations of corruption or financial transactions in the appointment of deputy commissioners, or DCs, in several districts.
The interim government has tasked the committee, led by Law Advisor Asif Nazrul, to submit a report within 10 days.
The other members of the committee are Home Affairs Advisor Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Information and Broadcasting Advisor Nahid Islam.
On Wednesday, the Cabinet Division issued a notification announcing the constitution of the committee, styled "Advisory Committee for Investigating Allegations of Corruption in DC Appointments."
The committee may co-opt more members if necessary, with the Cabinet Division's district and field administration wing providing secretarial support.
Following the change in government, the interim administration appointed new DCs in 59 districts in two phases on Sept 9 and 10.
After these appointments, many government officials, claiming to have been sidelined during the previous government, protested outside the Public Administration Secretary’s office, demanding appointments as DCs.
Allegations surfaced that "associates and beneficiaries of the former government have been appointed as DCs."
Subsequently, nine DCs were withdrawn from their positions.
Earlier this month, conversations on WhatsApp surfaced, indicating financial transactions related to appointments of the district administrators.
Kalbela, a national Bengali daily, ran two reports about claims that financial transactions had been made surrounding the appointment of deputy commissioners.
The second report published on Oct 3 focused on the conversation of the public administration secretary and a joint secretary on WhatsApp, discussing transactions of "Tk 50 to 100 million" for DC appointments.
bdnews24.com could not independently verify the allegations.
Shortly after the reports were published, Public Administration Secretary Md Mokhlesur Rahman addressed reporters.
He dismissed the allegations of significant financial transactions as "worthless," saying: “There is no truth to it. Before asking such questions, you should consider how reasonable it is to ask me.”
In response to the allegations surrounding DC appointments, this committee has been established to verify the claims.