DGSHSE finds opportunity getting charge, served legal notice for misappropriation



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Professor Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury, Director of College Administration of the Directorate, was appointed as the Director General (DG) of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (DSHSE). At this time he was supposed to try to get the higher post by proving himself worthy. But instead of doing that, he has been accused of misappropriating money. Legal notice has already been sent. It is said that this professor embezzled a large sum of money from the BCS General Education Society.

Current President of BCS General Education Association Professor Shahedul Khabir of Economics Department served as Acting Secretary General from 2016 to 2022. At present, he has been serving as the president for the last two years. Reliable sources said that during the last six years, during the two posts, he spent the money of the association's general fund and special fund sector from two bank accounts of Janata Bank which raises questions. Apart from this, there was anger among the members about the income and expenditure account of various sectors of the association, including collection of subscriptions from various colleges across the country. As a result, under a lot of pressure, Shahedul formed an audit committee under the leadership of Professor ANM Shahadat Hossain, who is known as Khabir's own man. This committee, while auditing the bank accounts and income and expenditure of the association, found a huge amount of money falsification.

And on the basis of that audit, Abdur Razzak, a lecturer in accounting science department of Ramgarh Government College of Khagrachari district, has sent a legal notice to Shahedul Khabir, the general member of the association.

Supreme Court Advocate Md. Shaheen Ali sent the legal notice on behalf of this teacher.

In this notice, along with Shahedul Khabir, former treasurer of BCS General Education Association, Prof. Khan Rafiqul Islam, Acting Secretary General of the association and currently associate professor attached to Haji Abdul Baten College of Swandip, Chattogram district as OSD, are involved in financial irregularities. Shawkat Hossain Mollya, Treasurer of the association and Kamal Ahmed, Associate Professor of Management currently attached to the same college as OSD, have been sent the same legal notice. They have been asked to respond to the notice within the next 15 days.

Talking to several members of the association, Professor Nasreen Begum and IK Semilullah Khandokar were in charge of the BCS General Education Association until December 2015. During their tenure, Tk. 1 crore 9 lakh was explained to the next committee i.e. president elected in 2016 IK Salemullah Khandokar and secretary general Professor Shahedul Khabir. Two panels participated in the 2016 election of the 123-member committee of the association. One is the panel of IK Salemullah Khandokar, the other is the panel of Shahedul Khabir. Salemullah Khandokar was elected president in this election. No one else from his panel could be elected. The panel of Shahedul Khabir was elected for the remaining 122 posts. As a result, Selemullah Khandokar was left alone in the committee. On this occasion, Shahedul Khabir as Secretary General and his panel treasurer, former principal of Munshiganj Government College and former deputy director of Naeem Khan Rafiqul Islam bypassed the president and took control of all bank accounts of the association. On this occasion, from 2016 to 2022, several crores of taka were withdrawn from the bank under the signature of the two. For the last 6 years they have collected subscriptions from colleges across the country. How much has any college paid during this time? How was this money spent? They did not preserve any continuity of the present account with the previous account.

As a result of this, anger was created among the general members of the association regarding the expenditure and income of various sectors of the committee. Two audit committees were formed on March 7 of this year when the ruling leaders of the association protested such injustice in various ways including social media. This committee submitted the audit report after 24 days on March 31. The two committees were headed by two professors. They are embarrassed themselves by seeing these accounts and bank details. As a result, despite much reluctance, in the audit done by the president's own people, a discrepancy of Tk. 2 crore 84 lakh was mentioned.

The members of the association also complained that the president of the committee and the leaders under his leadership are not obeying any rules, thinking that they are powerful after being elected by the votes of the general members. Besides, many people are also complaining about nine-six in the current committee's vote.

Speaking to several people who participated in the audit, it was revealed that most of the vouchers presented to the audit committee were tampered with. Expenditure sector not mentioned. Even though lakhs of rupees were spent, he could not show his receipts or vouchers. As a result, there is evidence of gross negligence on the part of the BCS cadre professionals in keeping the account of expenses of crores of money. Everyone, including the head of the audit committee, was shocked.

Meanwhile, in the month of October and September 2023, BCS cadre-discrimination, promotion related issues including various demands, BCS general education cadre officers observed a strike for about 15 days. Talking to several teachers who participated in this strike, it is known that Shahedul Khabir was behind the 15-day strike of teachers across the country for various demands including promotion. He led this movement before the elections at the end of the third term of the present government by exerting a lot of pressure in the name of promotion. However, when the tension over his post started, he withdrew from the movement and asked the teachers to desist from the movement. At that time, Shahedul Khabir gave various statements to the media about the movement. The authenticity of which can be found in the online version of various newspapers.

Besides Shahedul Khabir, one of Shawkat Hossain Mollya's associates has been transferred to Sandwip Haji Abdul Baten College, but he has not been going to the college for the past three years. He is collecting salary with the help of college principal without going to college. As he is Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury's own man, no action is being taken against him even though he has not been at work for a long time. With the connivance of this Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury, all the irregularities and corruption of Noakhali Government College are harassing the teachers. Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury has stopped the investigation even though the Education Secretary has ordered a separate investigation against Noakhali Government College Principal Salma Akhter and vice-principal Lokman Bhuyan. Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury is the mentor of corruption in education across the country. Even if someone is caught doing irregularities, there is no investigation due to it. Even if the investigation is done, the paper of the report is not sent to the ministry. There are even allegations of forgery of Cumilla Board letters against members of this syndicate. The investigation of this incident is also blocked by the obstacle of the invisible.

When asked about sending a legal notice against the Director General of the same directorate working in secondary and higher secondary departments, lecturer Abdur Razzak told Barta24.com, "I am an ordinary member of the BCS General Education Association. As such, I have the right to know the financial income and expenditure account of this association. Like all the members of the association, I can ask for the financial account of the association without being angry with anyone. That is why I have sent a legal notice to those involved against the financial irregularities recently revealed in the audit. They have embezzled crores of money by the power of the association. We even see on Facebook that the signature of the check from the treasurer is forged. Where is the justification for signing a blank check? As a cadre service officer they cannot do this. If they can't give proper reply to my notice, can't show valid documents then criminal case will be filed against them.

When asked whether he is afraid of harassment due to sending a legal notice to the DG of the Directorate, this teacher of the accounting department said, "I am a victim of harassment since 2018. I was harassed in various ways for protesting against the corruption of DSHSE 10 school project. At that time I complained. The guilt of 9 persons is proved beyond doubt in that charge. The then Education Minister knew about it. But no action was taken. But I was kept as OSD for two years. From there he was transferred to Noakhali Government College. I have also complained to the ACC and the Education Secretary about the fraud in the examination center, taking money by tampering with the results, widespread corruption in the admission of students. Even there no action was taken against them after getting evidence of corruption. Instead I was transferred to Khagrachari. I'm not afraid of that either. I know I will be harassed. But I will not compromise with corruption as long as I live. Not only that, my promotion has been blocked by making adverse comments on my ACR. My juniors have been promoted. So I won't stop. Even if they are not prosecuted, people should know how they are ruining the education system.

In this regard, Shahedul Khabir, against whom so many complaints were made, could not be contacted. For two consecutive days, his mobile phone was called several times, but he did not receive it. Sent a message on WhatsApp but he did not reply. 

   

Schools and colleges are opening today, closed in 25 districts including Dhaka



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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After the closure of educational institutions across the country due to severe heat wave, teaching activities in the classrooms of all secondary level educational institutions are starting on Saturday (May 04).

However, schools, colleges and madrasas will remain closed in 25 districts including Dhaka today due to intense heat wave. On the other hand, primary school teaching activities will start from Sunday (05 May).

Sources in the Ministry of Education said that the educational institutions were closed until last Thursday on the order of the court. Class activities will start simultaneously in all secondary and higher secondary schools of the country from Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Farid Ahmed said that the primary schools which were closed till Thursday will be opened from Sunday as per the order of the court.

Schools and colleges were supposed to open on April 21 after the long holidays of Eid-ul-Fitr and Pahela Baishakh, but due to the heat wave across the country, it was delayed by a week. When schools and colleges opened last Sunday, some teachers and students fell ill due to extreme heat. Some deaths also occurred.

When the report in this regard was brought to the attention of the High Court, the bench of Justice KM Kamrul Quader and Justice Khizir Hayat gave an order with a suo moto rule. In view of the heat wave, all primary and secondary schools, higher secondary schools, colleges, madrasas and technical institutes were ordered to remain closed till last Thursday.

Schools, colleges and madrasas are closed in 25 districts today

Secondary schools, colleges, madrasas and technical educational institutions will be closed today in 25 districts of the country to ensure the health protection of students during the severe heat wave. This information was informed in the notification signed by MA Khayer, Information and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education on Friday (03 May).

Districts declared closed include all districts of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions (8 in Rajshahi and 10 in Khulna). Besides Dhaka and Tangail of Dhaka division, Chandpur of Chattogram division and Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Dinajpur districts of Rangpur division. 

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Bangladesh is 165th in the world media index two steps behind



News Desk, Barta24.com
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Bangladesh ranks 165th in the World Free Media Index with a score of 27.64. Bangladesh is ranked 165th out of 180 countries this year. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a France-based organization working on media freedom around the world, released the index on Friday (May 3).

Nepal has occupied the top position in terms of media freedom in South Asia; the country has occupied the 74th position with 60.52 points. Next is Maldives. The country is at the 106th position with 52.36 points. In this year's list, Bhutan fell from the first position and got the third place. The country is at the 147th position with 37.29 points.

Among South Asian countries, Bangladesh is ahead of only Afghanistan. Bangladesh is ranked behind India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan.

In South Asia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India are at the fourth, fifth and sixth positions respectively. The global position of these three countries is 150, 152 and 159 respectively.

India has got the 159th position two steps ahead of last year's 161st. Afghanistan ranks last among South Asian countries. 26 steps behind, the country's global position is 178th, only 19.09 points.

According to the report, the Asia-Pacific region ranks second in the world in terms of journalistic challenges. The report named Myanmar, China, North Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan as the most dangerous places to work for journalists.

Norway has retained its top position in the global index. Their points are 91.89. The rest of the top ten countries are Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland and Germany.

Through the World Free Media Index, the extent to which journalists in different countries and regions of the world carry out their duties independently is verified. Five factors are taken into account in this index. These are political context, legal infrastructure, economic context, socio-economic conditions and security.

The report also states that free media around the world are facing threats from political authorities, as confirmed by the significant decline in the political index. The global average of this index has fallen by 7.6 percent this year. 

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Norwester hit Lama inflicting huge loss of around Tk. 5 crore



District Correspondent, Barta24.com, Bandarban
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

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Nearly nine hundred houses of the pourashava and various unions have been destroyed by the sudden gale in nor'wester in Bandarban's Lama. Those concerned said that there has been a loss of more than Tk. 5 crore.

On Friday (May 03) talking to the officials of the administration, this information is known.

Two days after the norwester, most of the victims are still living under open sky. Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin and Superintendent of Police Saikat Shaheen came to Lama today to see the victims. At that time, the Bandarban district administration distributed rice and clothes among the families affected by the norwester. These relief items were distributed in the Linejhiri area of Lama Pourashava at 5:30 pm on Friday.

Resident Engineer of Lama Electricity Department Sajjad Siddique said that in the early morning of May 01, the electricity department suffered extensive damage. 17 poles of 11 KV transmissions and 1 pole of 33 KV transmissions were broken, disrupting the normal operation of electricity transmission.

Electricity connection was restored to Lama Hospital and city areas by opening the main line on Friday. The most affected line was Chagalkhaiya, Lama Alikadam transmission line of 11 KV, about one and a half kilometers of power cable was broken and Alikadam connection could not be established. The officials and employees of the electricity department are working day and night simultaneously to restore the power lines. He said that electricity supply to Lama and Alikdam will be normal in two days.

Lama Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Monirul Islam said that information has been received that more than 900 houses have been damaged in five unions including Lama Pourashava. In this incident, members of the Red Crescent along with the mayor of Lama Pourashava and the locals have cut and cleared the branches of fallen trees on the road. Allotted food grains and some rations have been distributed immediately from the district administration. He said that the amount of damage may be more than Tk. 5 crore.

Lama Mayor Md. Zahirul Islam (Absar) said that there was a huge damage in Lama upazila during the cyclone last Wednesday night. Urban areas suffered the most damage. Only in the municipal area, one hundred and twenty houses were completely destroyed and three hundred houses were partially damaged. The amount of damage in the municipal area will be two and a half to three crore takas. Immediate rice and financial allocations have been received from the Ministry of Relief and Rehabilitation to assist the victims.

Lama upazila nirbahi officer Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury said that in Lama municipality, seven unions suffered extensive damage in the cyclone last Wednesday night. Six hundred to seven hundred houses were completely and partially damaged.

Adequate amount of relief allocation has been received from Bandarban Deputy Commissioner. Relief is being distributed among the victims on Thursday and Friday along with the chairman of seven unions of the upazila and the mayor of the pourashava. He said it would take time to estimate the total financial loss. 

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RRR President Anwar Hossain, Secretary Tawhidul Islam



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
RRR President Anwar Hossain, Secretary Tawhidul Islam

RRR President Anwar Hossain, Secretary Tawhidul Islam

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Reporters for Rail and Road (RRR) forum has elected President for the next two years - Prothom Alo Special Representative Md. Anwar Hossain and the General Secretary elected - Tauhidul Islam, Senior Reporter of Dainik Amader Somoy.

They were elected at the first annual general meeting of RRR held at a restaurant in the capital on Friday (03 May).

Other members of the Executive Committee are – Vice-President Partha Sarathi Das (Protidiner Sangbad), Joint Secretary Shipan Habib (Dainik Jugantar), Finance Secretary Shaheen Akhter (New Age), Organizational Secretary Tuhin Shubhra Adhikari (The Daily Star), Office, Publicity & Publication Secretary Taufiqul Islam (The Daily Sun), Training and Research Secretary Tarek Sikder (Boishakhi TV), Executive Member Munima Sultana (The Financial Express), Rajeev Ahmad (Dainik Samakal) and Ibrahim Mahmood Akash (Dainik Janakantha).

Apart from this, a cell of five members was formed for research and publication. The other members of the cell headed by Shamim Rahman (Bonik Barta) are Sajib Ghosh (Dainik Kaler Kantha), Al Amin Sajal (Independent TV), Taufiqul Islam (The Daily Sun) and Tarek Sikder (Boishakhi TV).

A committee of three members conducted the election.

Before the election, Finance Secretary Shaheen Akhtar and Outgoing Executive Committee General Secretary Tawhidul Islam presented their report, which was approved by voice vote. Almost all members of the organization were present in the event.

Established in March last year, Reporters for Rail and Road (RRR) forum is a Dhaka-based platform of professional and working journalists who report on road, railway, communication infrastructure and transport related sectors in reputed national dailies, television channels, radio stations and online. 

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