One of the sources of revenue income for two city corporations in Dhaka city is holding tax and trade licence fee. To oversee the collection, every ward has a revenue trade licence and an advertisement supervisor. However, it’s alleged that a large section of collected revenue is being embezzled.
Recently, allegations emerged against Fahimuzzaman, revenue supervisor of ward 31, over embezzlement of around Tk 9 million.
On Apr 29, the said officer was terminated though Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), could not recover the money.
The accusation against Fahimuzzaman states that he used false papers, seals of bank officials and then embezzled the money.
Though there is a rule to have audits after holding tax and trade licence fee are collected, a powerful syndicate reportedly carries out the audit on the grounds that outside audit will involve extra cost and time.
In the same accusations, ledger keeper of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Abdur Rashid, was suspended on Apr 16.
A DNCC official of the accounts department, said: “Previously, audits were done from our division; later, authority issued an office order that audit will be done by the collectors.”
Though recently there was talk of revoking the right of the collectors to carry out the audit, the plan was cancelled by top officials, added the DNCC official.
Chief revenue officer Of DNCC, Yousuf Ali Sardar, said: “After an irregularity was detected, we are very cautious now and audits are being carried out regularly.”
DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam, observed: “One person has been terminated for corruption; we will not tolerate any dishonesty.”