Notices on 4 Sherpur BNP men to compensate at market price

Notices have been served on four BNP leaders in Nokla upazila in Sherpur district for alleged misappropriation of rice allocated for development projects during BNP-led four-party alliance government.
The notices sent by the upazila administration asked them to return the value of the rice at its market price, sources said.
The four are former lawmaker Zahed Ali's younger brother Mahbub Ali Chowdhury alias Munir Chowdhury, chairman of Char Austadhar Union Parishad (UP) in Nokla; Nokla Pourasabha ward commissioner Mohammad Faruque Hossain, woman member of Talki Union Parishad Khadeza Khatun and member of the same UP Mohammad Abdur Rahim. Zahed Ali was elected from Sherpur-2 constituency (Nokla-Nalitabari) in 2001 election.
The notices sent from offices of Nokla Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Upazila Project Implementation Officer on November 2 asked them to deposit the money to the government treasury within November 20, the sources.
In 2006-2007 financial year, one and half tonnes of rice were allocated for development of Jonab Ali Dakhil Madrasa and Orphanage and one ton for improving drainage system in Nokla pourasabha.
One tonne rice each was given to UP members Khadeza Khatun and Abdur Rahim for distribution as Test Relief, sources in the project implementation officer's office said.
UP members Khadeza Khatun and Abdur Rahim did their work 'partially' but Munir Chowdhury and ward commissioner Faruque 'misappropriated the whole rice', the sources alleged.
“The present market price of the misappropriated rice is about Tk 1.5 lakh,” one of the officials said.
When contacted, Nokla Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Golam Mostofa confirmed sending the notices to the four.
Munir Chowdhury and Faruque are in Sherpur Jail jail for alleged corruption and terrorism during BNP-led four party alliance government.