Staff Reporter :
Allegations of corruption and financial irregularities have been brought against the ‘Su-Basti’ NGO in Mirpur, Dhaka.
The NGO has also reportedly run by an expired and illegal managing committee which has been constituted by forging signatures of its members.
Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, Director (institution) of the Social Services Department, said he had received the complaint and had formed a three-member probe body committee to look into the irregularities.
“The investigation has already been completed. We will be able to submit the report next week,” he added.
A member of the NGO, who did not want to be named, said that on the basis of the allegations, the investigation committee of the department dissolved the steering committee on January 4 this year and appointed an administrator.
Two bank accounts of the NGO were suspended. The department later reconstituted the committee in February, but no report has been submitted so far.
According to the complaint, the constitution of the NGO states that elections should be held every two years, but the family members, who funded the NGO, abuse their power and hold important positions through compromise. Since its inception, Fakhrul Islam Siddique has held important positions such as president and his niece Tasnima Siddique and daughter Fahima Siddique Ima held vice-president post.
In a family deal, the term of the committee of the NGO was extended till 2021-2023 and Tasnima Siddique was retained as the chairperson and Fahima Siddique as the vice-chairperson. 6 members of the committee have been withdrawn for protesting.
Although Tasnima Siddique was given short messages and several phone calls for comments in this regard, no response was received.
