UNO Debashish Basak of Pirgacha Upazila of Rangpur District has been transferred. The transfer order was issued amid allegations of irregularities, corruption and revenue evasion surrounding the traditional Deuti Hat lease.
He was transferred to Haripur upazila in an office order issued by Rangpur district administration on Thursday. In the same order, he was released from his current workplace in the afternoon. Besides, Pirgacha Assistant Commissioner (Land) Tarek Hasan Tahsin was given temporary responsibility.
Earlier, he was ordered to be transferred to Haripur from the Divisional Commissioner’s office, but Zayed Imrul Mujakkin, Jaldhaka Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Nilphamari, was again posted to Pirgacha.
According to the complaint, Deuti Hat was leased through Khas Dak at Pirgacha UNO office on April 9. 20 people participated in it and through the mediation of Upazila Jubo Dal convener Jahangir Alam, Parul Union got the lease of BNP general secretary Abdul Matin Hat for Tk 18 lakh 80 thousand.
Later, according to the calculations given to the investors, it was claimed that a large amount of ‘bribe’ had to be paid in the hut lease. It is said in the complaint that additional expenditure of Tk 3 lakh 20 thousand has been shown in the name of UNO, a total of Tk 6 lakh 13 thousand 600 including various figures in the name of local political leaders.
Local businessmen and investors complain that the collection of these funds is illegal and amounts to extortion. They claim that the government revenue has been damaged due to similar irregularities in the previous year as well.
Apart from this, the investigation also revealed that there are allegations of overpricing and sub-lease in the hut lease process. Sub-izaradar Belal Hossain said that the actual Khas Dak price was Tk 18 lakh 80 thousand but later it was increased and he got sub-lease of Tk 45 lakh.
The lessee, Abdul Matin, said regarding the complaint, “, how much I have given to whom, that is my matter.” On the other hand, Jahangir Alam expressed his reluctance to comment citing the matter as political.
Upazila BNP president Aminul Islam Ranga denied the allegations leveled against him.
In this regard, UNO Debashish Basak said, “I have been transferred to Haripur upazila. The charges brought against me are completely false.”
ADC Development Roksana, who is in charge of Rangpur District Commissioner, said that UNOs are responsible for managing the market. If irregularities are proved, necessary action will be taken subject to investigation.
