Irregularities in cash aid, relief distribution: 85 public representatives suspended

The government so far has suspended 85 public representatives of different union parishads, municipalities, upazila parishads and zila parishads for their alleged irregularities in cash aid and relief disbursement -- meant for the poor -- since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Among them, 28 are union parishad (UP) chairmen, 51 UP members, one zila parishad member, four municipality councilors and one upazila parishad vice-chairman, Mahmudul Hasan, public relations officer of the LGRD ministry, told The Daily Star.

Of the 85, 11 public representatives including a municipal councilor, four union parishad chairmen and six members were suspended on Tuesday for their involvement in alleged irregularities in cash aid and relief distribution among poor people as well as remaining absent at their offices, said a release of the LGRD ministry on Tuesday.

The ministry issued separate notifications in this regard.

The UP chairman are--- Md Anwarul Haque of Singpur union in Nikli upazila, Hazi Md Kajal Bhuiyan of Halimpur union in Bajitpur upazila on Kishoreganj district, Md Shahnewaz of Baliatoli union of Sadar upazila and Humayun Kabir of Noltana union parishad of Barguna district.

Among the 51 suspended UP members, two are women occupying reserved seats.

In the notice, the ministry has also asked the suspended public representatives to explain within 10 days through respective deputy commissioners, why they would not be removed permanently from their respective posts.