Md. Shahria Burichang (Comilla) Representative:
There has been an extreme stagnation in public service activities in Bakshimul Union Parishad No. 2 of Burichang Upazila of Comilla. Local residents and public representatives have complained that regular service activities are being disrupted due to the absence of Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Karim for a long time. The general service recipients have been suffering.
Talking to several members of the Union Parishad, it was learned that important services including birth registration, inheritance certificate, social security allowance, land-related certification are practically closed in the absence of the chairman. The common people are returning disappointed after coming to the Parishad day after day without getting the desired services.
The members of the Union Parishad said that it is not possible to complete many important administrative tasks without the signature and instructions of the chairman as the chief executive of the Parishad. As a result, members and officials are also unable to take effective decisions.
The secretary of the Union Council said that the absence of the chairman has created complications in conducting regular activities. He said, “If an acting chairman had been appointed or some alternative administrative measure had been taken, the suffering of the service recipients could have been reduced to a great extent.
According to local sources, various irregularities and corruption allegations were previously made against Chairman Abdul Karim. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, some members of the Union Parishad made these allegations and filed a written complaint with the Upazila Executive Officer. It is known that the matter was settled administratively at that time. He is currently also the president of the Bakshimul Union Awami League.
Meanwhile, locals claim that he is in hiding as there is a case against him in the police station recently. Although nothing has been officially reported in this regard by the concerned authorities. However, there are allegations that even though the chairman is absent, some activities of the Union Parishad are being influenced through his close associates.
The affected common people complained that they are only being harassed when they go to the Parishad. One resident said that they have been going for birth registration for about 15 days, but every time they are told that the chairman is not there. Another said that they have to hear the same thing when they go to get an inheritance certificate.
Local Residents have raised questions about why the activities of the Union Parishad will be completely closed if the chairman is absent? Why is the administration not taking alternative measures to ensure public services?
In this regard, Upazila Executive Officer Tanvir Hossain said, if any formal proposal or arrangement comes from the Union Parishad, we will discuss it with the higher authorities and take necessary steps legally.
Aware circles demand that the activities of the Union Parishad need to be normalized through quick administrative intervention in the public interest. Otherwise, they have expressed fear that a bigger crisis may arise in public services.