Nine councillors of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) are accused of being absent from work at a stretch for a long period. In addition, they have reportedly shown apathy in discharging their duties. Locals allege that many of them have little involvement in tackling citizens’ problems.
These councillors have also skipped attending the DSCC meetings, ranging between 3 and 8 times.
An in-depth investigation has found that most of those absent were linked to illegal casino operations, gambling and other illegal activities.
The accused are: Md Ashfaquzzaman of ward 5, AKM Mominul Huq Sayeed of ward 9, Golam Ashraf Talukdar of ward 12, Mostafa Zaman of ward 13, Md Tarikul Islam Sajib of ward 22, Md Hasan of ward 30, Md Billah Shah of ward 32, Moinul Huq of ward 39, and Rashida Parvin from reserved seat of ward 13.
Ashfaquzzaman of ward 5 said: “I was outside the country for medical treatment and that’s why I could not be present at several meetings.”
The allegation against councillor of ward 9, AKM Mominul Islam was that he went abroad several times without permission from the ministry. In this regard, DSCC also issued a letter to the secretary of the local government.
The main complaint against councillor of ward 12 Golam Ashraf Talukdar was that he never participated in any work of the ward and played no part in the development of the area.
Golam Ashraf refutes the allegation, saying: “Sometimes my phone is switched off since I am at a meeting but the allegation that I am not interested in local development work is utterly false.”
Mostafa Zaman Poppy of ward 13 is accused of being involved in illegal work. He could not be contacted. After the casino busting, Mostafa Zaman has scarpered. He is accused of being involved in extortion, drug trade and other illegal operations.
In the same manner, there are allegations of negligence against other councillors. Local government specialist, Tofael Ahmed, says: “if a councillor is absent at the city corporation meeting on three occasions then a letter will be sent to the ministry with a notice to the absent person; the ministry will then take action.”
DSCC mayor Sayeed Khokon, observes: “It is true that some councillors are absent and we have warned them several times and we also told the airport authority not to allow anyone to leave without government clearance.”
The ministry says that if city-corporation lodges a complaint, the higher authority will take note.
Minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives minister, Md Tajul Islam, said: “I received a complaint against a councillor; sent a show-cause notice to which the person responded. If we get complaints then we can investigate.”
