PM’s Cash Aid: 56 relatives of B’baria UP chairman on the list

As many as 56 relatives of a union parishad chairman in Brahmanbaria's Sarail upazila have been allegedly enlisted for the government's cash aid allocated to reduce the sufferings of poor people during Covid-19 pandemic.

Bringing the allegations of nepotism and irregularities against Kajal Chowdhury, chairman of Noagaon Union Parishad, several deprived people lodged a written complaint with the upazila nirbahi officer on July 16. 

According to the complaint, the relatives of Kajal, who are solvent, were enlisted for the government's cash assistance of Tk 2,500 allocated for each of the 50 lakh poor families hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Payel Hossain Mridha, a resident of Noagaon village and member of Brahmanbaria Zilla Parishad, said, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has provided cash assistance to the poor affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. But Kajal has included the names of his solvent relatives and followers on the list with an ulterior motive."  

Sarail Upazila Parishad Chairman Rafiq Uddin Thakur said it was unfortunate that Kajal committed a misdeed which has called a noble initiative of the government into question. 

Contacted, Kajal said, "There are over 400 voters in my family, most of them are poor. Their names have been included on the list in compliance with the rules. Some of them already got Tk 2,500 each. The mobile numbers of the remaining beneficiaries have been collected and they will get the money soon." 

Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer ASM Musasaid he got a written complaint from some poor people against Kajal. A two-member probe committee had already been formed.  

No anomalies in preparing the list of the government's cash assistance for coronavirus-hit poor people will be tolerated, he warned. 

Some 1,100 people of Noagaon Union Parishad's nine wards have been listed for the aid. Of them, 270 are from ward-4 (Ankhitara) -- which is Kajol's area, added the UNO. 

On May 14, Hasina announced a package of Tk 1,200 crore cash aid for 50 lakh poor families hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Under the programme, each family will receive the amount in their mobile numbers through MFS providers.