Rajshahi education board chief, secy lock horns

The chairman of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Rajshahi had the secretary's office locked yesterday following a dispute over the appointment of three staff.

The secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, claimed to The Daily Star that on July 13 he declined sanctioning salaries and allowances of the three since the chairman, Dr Abul Hayat, made the appointment using his executive powers without the finance and board committees' approval.

Three staff then assaulted him and forced him out of the office, threatening of dire consequences if he returned, said Azad, adding that from that day he stopped going to work.

He said to have filed a case with Rajpara Police Station against the deputy college inspector and some other staff and seeking security.

Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Hasan of Rajpara Police Station said they had seen the lock and the chairman had told him that it was an internal matter.

Dr Abul Hayat said the lock was for the safekeeping of the documents inside the office. On the appointment, he said he could do so using his executive powers.

Two sources at the board, seeking anonymity, confirmed this.

Dr Abul Hayat said Azad had not followed the official procedure of sending a note explaining why he had declined approving the salaries and allowances.

He also said Azad had been absent from July 14 without officially notifying the board.