Satkhira UP member reportedly blocks disabled beggar’s allowance card over bribe
Raushan Ara, 60, wife of a disabled person named Akhsed Ali in Kalaroa upazila, has been pleading to people from door-to-door for the last few days
A Union Parishad (UP) member in Satkhira allegedly halted the issuance of disability allowance card to a disabled beggar over Tk4,000 bribe.
Raushan Ara Begum, 60, wife of a disabled person named Akhsed Ali in Kalaroa upazila, has been pleading to people from door-to-door for the last few days in hopes of getting the card. She said her husband Akhsed Ali was mentally disabled from birth, and the family makes a living by begging.
"I had applied to Rezaul Bishwas, a UP member of Ward 2, for a disability allowance card. But when I went to get the card, he demanded Tk4,000 in return," said Raushan Ara, adding, "When I asked him where I will get the money, he told us to beg for it, as we were beggars."
When asked about the incident, Rezaul said, "I had to spend some money to check whether Akhsed was disabled or not. I demanded the money from his wife, but they are yet to pay me. Besides, they did not accept the card because they became angry."
Meanwhile, Joynagar UP chairman Shamshuddin Al Masud Babu said Rezaul does nothing without a bribe. Kalaroa Upazila Nirbahi Officer Moushumi Jerin Kanta said action will be taken after investigating the matter.
