Bandarban Poura chairman asked to refund Tk 15.7 lakh

The order reached municipal chairman Mizanur Rahman Biplob on may 6, sources said.

The order was given after investigation by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry. A team led by a Joint Secretary probed the alleged misappropriation after all the ward commissioners of Bandarban municipality lodged a complaint to the ministry in March.

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The food grains were allotted under two heads, one for purchasing rickshaw vans to create self-employment involving 100 tonnes and the other for various development projects in the pourasabha area involving 100 tonnes of food grains.

The team investigated the rickshaw van project during several visits in April and found gross irregularity. After its report to the ministry, it asked the municipal chairman to refund Tk 15.70 lakh, which is equivalent to the price of 100 tonnes of food grains.

The other component (100 tonnes) of the dole for implementation of 48 development projects is being investigated, the sources said.

The sources also claimed that the minicipal chairman in a written representation to the probe team admitted misappropriation of the food grains.

Mizanur Rahman was elected under Awami League banner. Recently, a proposal was sent to the party high ups for disciplinary action against him. No decision has been taken yet, party sources claimed while talking to this correspondent.