2 UP members’ numbers on PM’s Eid gift list in Brahmanbaria

Two union parishad (UP) members of Ichapura union of Bijoynagar upazila in Brahmanbaria have illegally put their phone numbers on Prime Minister's Eid gift list meant for the underprivileged people of the union.

The union parishad members Sumitra Rani Das and Md Shahjahan Miya of the union have replaced the numbers of two underprivileged people of the union with theirs to receive the Tk2,500 that the Prime Minister is going to provide.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will provide Tk2,500 as Eid-ul-Fitr gifts for 50 thousand underprivileged families across the country to help them celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr during these tough times.

The local administration along with peoples' representatives, teachers and notable people of the areas have prepared lists.

Allegations of irregularities came out after the Ichapura union parishad published its list on May 17 with names of 328 people.

Locals found that Usha Rani Das, an Arial village resident whose name was 12th on the list, has the phone number of UP Member Sumitra Rani Das written beside her name.

On the other hand, Nayeb Ali, a resident of Dalpa village whose name is 288th on the list, has the phone number of UP member Md Shahjahan Miya written beside his name.

As a result, the 2,500 taka provided by the Prime Minister will reach the mobile banking accounts of two UP members instead of the two underprivileged people.

When contacted, UP member Sumitra said, "I gave my number to help Usha receive the money as she does not own a mobile phone and does not have a mobile banking account."

UP member Shahjahan on the other hand denied the allegations and said, "The numbers have been provided after rigorous checking. My number cannot be on the list."

"I did not recommend the name of Nayeb Ali for the list. Besides Dalpa in not under my constituency." Added Shahjahan.

Ichapura UP Chairman Ziaul Haque Bokul said, "We published the list in order to find out if there are any inconsistencies in it."

But the UP chairman could not provide the information as to how the numbers of the UP members were enlisted.

Bijoynagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Meher Nigar said, "We published the list so that people of the union can help us find the faults that we could not find ourselves and can sort out accordingly."

The UNO said that he was investigating the matter.