JS body seeks details of corruption during AL, interim govt

A parliamentary standing committee on the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry has sought detailed information on alleged irregularities and corruption in the ministry and its subordinate offices during the previous Awami League government and the subsequent interim administration.

The committee also recommended that the ministry present details of the measures taken to address such irregularities and corruption at its next meeting.

The recommendations were made at a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday (November 5).

The committee also recommended steps to eliminate irregularities in the distribution of ration cards among repatriated refugees and non-indigenous people living in cluster villages in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

It asked the ministry to ensure that ration cards reach the genuine beneficiaries.

The committee further recommended that the ministry provide detailed information at its next meeting about vacant posts in the ministry and its subordinate departments, along with measures taken to fill those positions.

Regarding the Sajek issue, the committee also sought details of the steps taken by the ministry to support the affected people.

In another recommendation, the committee called for an increase in the honorarium of para workers employed under the Sustainable Social Services Delivery Project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

It suggested that their reduced allowances be revised to a reasonable level in line with rising living costs.

The meeting also discussed the allocation and equitable distribution of the ministry’s budget for the current fiscal year, alleged irregularities in food grain allocation, expenditure plans and various development projects.

The committee recommended that the ministry take necessary steps on these issues.

It also decided to hold meetings with the three hill district councils, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board in December, alongside visits to the relevant areas.

The meeting was chaired by committee chairman Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan. Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Pru, committee members Mostafa Kamal Pasha, Dipen Dewan, Shahjahan Chowdhury, Mohammad Zahirul Islam and Masum Mostafa attended.

The ministry secretary, relevant officials and officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were also present.