<i>Councillor extorts lactating mothers </i>
Lactating mothers from underprivileged classes demonstrate on the premises of Lalmonirhat municipality office on Wednesday demanding punishment to the councillor of ward No 4 under the municipality for his alleged bribery for issuing cards that would enable the women receive monthly allowance from a government fund meant for their nutrition.Photo: STAR
Over two hundred lactating mothers demonstrated on the premises of Lalmonirhat municipality office on Wednesday demanding action against a ward councillor who allegedly took bribe for issuing cards for benefit from 'fund for assistance to lactating mothers'. Each of listed lactating mothers, all from ultra poor classes, will get Tk 350 every month for two years under the project meant for enabling them to arrange nutritious food. Lalmonirhat municipality authorities make list of local eligible women for the purpose and issues them cards for benefit from the project conducted by the Directorate of Woman Affairs. The demonstrators on Wednesday lodged a complaint to the mayor that Abdul Hossain, councillor of ward No 4 under Lalmonirhat municipality, took Tk 500 in bribe from each of lactating 220 mothers, assuring them of giving the cards. A total of 1050 cards for 1050 lactating mothers were issued under the project for nine wards under Lalmonirhat municipality and 170 of the cards were issued for ward No 4, said officials of Lalmonirhat Woman Affairs Department. A total of 220 lactating mothers submitted applications to the office and 170 cards were finalised as per recommendations from ward councillors, they said, adding that 50 other women were not issued cards despite giving the bribe. Lactating mothers Monowara Begum (bearing card No 52), 26, wife of Abul Kalam at Shahjahan Colony slum of ward No 4, and Mukta Begum, (bearing card No 163), 24, wife of Mohaddes Ali of the same area said councillor Abdul Hossain took Tk 500 from each of them in exchange of giving a card. "I borrowed Tk 500 on interest from a neighbour and gave the money to the councillor of ward No 4 as he assured me of giving a card. But I am yet to get it,” said Jamila Begum, 26, wife of Sobuj Miah of Dalpotti village of ward No 4. "I have received allegation from lactating mothers in Ward No 4 that councillor Abdul Hossain took bribe from 220 applicants, assuring them of giving card for the benefit under Lactating Mothers Helping Fund project. I will take official step against the councillor immediately,” said Lalmonirhat municipality Mayor Reazul Islam Rintu. When contacted, councillor Abdul Hossain declined to talk with the journalists regarding the allegation of taking bribe from lactating mothers. Contacted, deputy director women affairs directorate in Lalmonirhat Shamim Ara Begum said, "The directorate is implementing the project for helping lactating mothers. Applications for benefit from the project are granted as per recommendation of municipality councillors. As the authority of the councillors, the mayor will take necessary step if any councillor is found guilty of taking bribe from lactating mothers."
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