Due process is underway to dismiss DNCC councillor for ward 9 since he was absent at three consecutive meets of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
Though there are other allegations against him including his reported involvement in casino-related activities, extortion and other misdeeds, he is being expelled for being absent at DNCC meetings.
The problem is, there are at least 18 other councillors who were also absent from 3 to 8 board meetings.
Some even went overseas without government approval but no accusations were made against them at the concerned ministry.
Apparently, AKM Mominul Huq Sayed, councilor for ward 9, was present at only six board meetings out of 19. He is also accused of making overseas trips several times without prior permission from the ministry.
On Jun 25, chief executive of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mostafizur Rahman wrote to the secretary of the local government division pressing for official action against him.
On Jul 1, deputy secretary of the ministry issued a show-cause to Sayed. His reply: he was suffering from pancreatic cancer and could not attend the meetings due to ill health.
Based on an application plus recommendation from DSCC, he was given 25 days' leave to perform Hajj and go for medical treatment.
Councillors of wards: 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 18, 22, 28, 30, 32, 33, 39, 40, 43, 52, 13, 19, were also absent at board meetings on several occasions.
Some were absent from 15 meets out of 19. But the decision for a legal action was taken against AKM Mominul Sayed only.
Local government specialist Tofail Ahmed said: “If a councilor is absent then first he has to be given a notice, followed by action. They can also be removed.”
DSCC mayor Sayeed Khokon said: “Steps are being taken against while others were warned. The airport authority has also been told not to allow anyone to go out of the country without government clearance.”
Local government secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said: “We can only take legal action when a written complaint comes from the mayor; in this case, we got only one and are working on it.”
