Several irregular NGOs closed in Jhenidah
District registration officer had arranged their opening through signature forgery
Sushanta Kumar Paul
Several NGOs in Jhenidah district have recently winded up after revealing of the fact that they managed registration through bribing the registration officer at Jhenidah Social Welfare Office. The registration official, Sushanta Kumar Paul arranged registration for several NGOs and so-called welfare associations through putting forged signatures of Md Azam Ali, former deputy director of Jhenidah district Social Welfare Office, during the latter's tenure till March 8 this year, said sources at district Social Welfare Office. The office has received several written allegations about the matter. Among the organisations that got registration through Shushanta's irregu the means are -- Atna Bikash Daridra Mochon at Shailkupa, Atya Nirbharshil Adi Bashi Samity in Harinakunda upazila, Avard social welfare Sanghastha at Paglakanai of the town, Shambhar Samaj Kalyan Sangstha of the town, Sidr Samaj Kalyan Sangstha at Hamdah of the town, Rat Samaj Kalyan Sangstha of the town, Bhai Bhai Samaj Kalyan Sangstha. Azam Ali was kept in the dark while the registration officer issued the registration to the organisations. Shushanta Kumar put fake signature of the concerned official on 144 places while issuing registration, sources said, adding that any departmental inquiry would reveal his corruption incidents. Shushanta would arrange registration without examining any papers and visiting any spot if he was given Tk 30 thousand while no registration was possible without giving bribe to Shushanta, said several people concerned with NGOs and associations. Contacted, former sub assistant director Azam Ali who went on retirement in March this year, said, Shushanta Pal has recently confessed to him that he has issued registration of nine NGO's. He (Azam Ali) added that he has informed this matter to the higher authority. Contacted, Shushanta Kumar Paul said he has not forged any signature. He added that he has not the authority to a registration officer. Contacted, Jhenidah district deputy director Md Zillur Rahman said a probe committee has been formed and he (Shushanta) will be punished if found guilty. There are 724 registered cooperative societies and NGOs in Jhenidah district, Zillur Rahman, sub assistant director of Jhenidah Social Welfare Office, said.
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