Councillors' debts higher than assets
Reveals Shujan study based on affidavits for Gazipur city polls
The debts of at least 16 councillors-elect of Gazipur City Corporation were bigger than the assets shown in their affidavits, says a report of Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan).
According to analysts, the debt of a borrower cannot be higher than his or her assets as loans are given against the assets of the borrower.
"So, a question arises in our mind whether they [councillors-elect] have concealed the actual amount of their assets," said Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shujan, a civil society platform working for good governance.
He was addressing a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital yesterday.
For example, Nurul Islam, councillor of general ward no 46, has debts of over Tk 6 crore while he has declared assets to the tune of over Tk 1 crore, he said.
Talking to The Daily Star, Nurul Islam admitted that he along with his family members had more assets than that mentioned in the affidavit.
But he denied having a debt of over Tk 6 crore, saying, "In the affidavit, I have shown that the total investment in my business is worth over Tk 6 crore, in which I have bank loan of over Tk 2 crore.
"The rest of the money came from my own funds, friends and relatives."
Similarly, Asadur Rahman Kiron, councillor of ward no 43, has debts of over Tk 5 crore against his declared assets worth over Tk 2.34 crore, Badiul Alam said.
Contacted, Kiron said he could not talk about the details of his assets and debts without seeing the affidavit.
The Shujan report was prepared on the basis of information provided by the candidates in their affidavits before the city corporation election.
It featured information on educational qualification, cases, tax payment, political and professional background of the elected representatives.
A total of 77 representatives -- one mayor, 57 general ward councillors and 19 councillors for women reserved seats -- were elected in the Gazipur city polls held on July 6.
According to the report, the pro-BNP people's representatives in Gazipur city are bearing the burden of more cases compared to the pro-Awami League (AL) representatives.
A total of 17 general ward councillors are facing cases. Among those, 12 are pro-BNP men, four are pro-AL men and the remaining one is an independent candidate.
Besides, mayor-elect MA Mannan, who is also an adviser to the BNP chairperson, is currently facing two cases.
It seemed that filing of cases against any political activist was related to assuming state power, Badiul Alam said, adding, "No councillor elected in the reserved seats for women is facing cases."
Among the general ward councillors, only 13 pay taxes while none of the councillors elected in the reserved seats for women pay taxes.
About political affiliations, the report said, more than half of the general ward councillors are pro-AL. Among the 77 representatives, 27 could not pass SSC while 60 are businessman by profession.
Shujan Executive Member Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others, also attended the function.
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