‘Amar Bari, Amar Khamar’ Project: Staffers ‘pocket’ Tk 2.38 lakh in Kishorganj
The authorities launched an investigation into alleged embezzlement of Tk 2.38 lakh meant for the poor, under 'Amar Bari, Amar Khamar' initiative of the government, in Kishorganj upazila.
As many as 34 applicants, mostly impoverished women, who applied for a loan under the programme in Bahagili union, in a complaint to the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) alleged that the programme's field assistant Musa Mia duped them into providing him with their photos and copies of national identity cards with the promise of issuing loans for them.
But they were in shock when high officials of the programme during a visit to their village, Uttor Durakuti Fakirpara village, in September told them that the purpose of their visit was to review the progress made with the Tk 7,000 loan that had been disbursed to each of the 34 recipients before the Covid-19 lockdown, enforced in March.
Following their complaint, the UNO asked the authorities concerned to submit reports to the office upon conducting inquiries into the allegation.
Shiuli Begum, one of the complainants, said they also handed over cash deposits along with their photos and photocopies of their ID cards to Musa Mia, the field assistant.
According to the complainants, including Nilufa, Rahima and Irene, their signatures were forged to disburse the money in their names and they had been in the dark about the crime as Musa stopped visiting the village during the months of lockdown.
The project activities of Amar Bari, Amar Khamar, formerly known as 'Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar', are currently being conducted under the authority of Palli Sanchay Bank (PSB) of the government.
Mohammad Sirajuddin, district coordinator of PSB, said after being directed by the UNO, the project authorities during a primary investigation found the allegation to be true.
Now the PSB is conducting another investigation of its own, he added.
Contacted, Jannatul Ferdous, PSB senior officer who is leading the investigation, said it was ascertained in their investigation that field assistant Musa Mia with the connivance of the field supervisor and computer operator of the project embezzled Tk 2.38 lakh by disbursing the amount as loan for the 34 beneficiaries.
Their probe report will be submitted to the authorities soon, he added.
Abu Hanif, PSB's Kishorganj branch manager, said field assistant Musa Mia was sent to Dhaka to ensure proper investigation.
Action against any responsible individual would be taken once the probe report is submitted, he added.
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