Chairman adds family members to PM’s Eid gift list in Brahmanbaria
The union parishad chairman has added his son, two brothers, a sister, and other relatives to the list
A Union Parishad chairman in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbariadistrict has allegedly added his relatives to the list of the prime minister's Eid gifts meant for insolvent families who are unemployed during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Md Alam Miah, chairman of Mehari union, has added his son, two brothers, a sister, and other relatives to the list.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently announced to give Tk2,500 as an Eid gift through mobile banking services to each of the families in which the wage-earning members are unemployed for the coronavirus outbreak across the country.
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The lists have been prepared by committees comprising district administration and upazila administration officials, union parishad chairmen, members, teachers and other local elites.
So far, more than 25,000 families – among the 75,000 on the list – in Brahmanbaria have received the Eid gift. On the list of 588 people in Mehari union, the names of Alam'sfamily members and relatives have appeared.
The names includes his son Md Arafat Alam on serial number 60, his elder brother Yunus Miah on 133, his younger brother Chhoton Miah on 322, his sister Jarina Begum on 212, his aunt Zohra Begum on 121, his sister-in-law Momtaz Begum on 117, his nephews Kajal Miah and Sentu Miah on 49 and 391 respectively, his another sister-in-law Noyon Moni on 477, his cousin Rustam Miah on 179, his nephew's wife Nilofa Begum on 328, and his cousin Sattar Miah on 512, among others.
Locals have also alleged that the chairman has added the names based on his preference. On the list of 588 people in the union, he has added around 120 names from his Shimrail Satpara village under ward 4.
"I went to meet the chairman after allegations about anomalies regarding the list had surfaced. He behaved rudely with me in his office. He is a man of corruption," said Ananta Sujon, senior vice-president of Mehari union unit of the Awami League.
When asked about the allegations, Alam said that the name of his sister was not on the list.
"I have listed my two brothers, and a cousin who is poor," he said.
He also claimed that his son was not listed.
"If there is any mistake on the list, we are sending it to the ministry. If the allegations are true, actions will be taken. If the chairman misuses his power, actions will be taken against him as well," said Masud Ul Alam, Kasbaupazila nirbahi officer.
