Follow-up
Councllor finally starts returing bribe money
At last the guilty ward councillor has started returning back the money that he had forced poor lactating mothers to give for issuing them cards for benefit from 'fund for assistance to lactating mothers'.
One week ago, Abdul Hossain, councillor of ward No 4 under Lalmonirhat municipality, took Tk 500 as bribe from each of 220 lactating mothers, giving them assurance of issuing cards that would enable them to get Tk 350 per month for two years.
The government scheme for helping poor lactating mothers purchase nutritious food is arranged by women affairs directorate.
In Lalmonirhat municipality, the lists of beneficiaries are prepared by the ward councillors concerned.
Of the 220 lactating mothers in ward No 4, 170 women received cards but others did not get it as their applications for the purpose were not granted.
The matter created sensation in the area as the poor lactating mothers demonstrated in front of the municipality mayor's office on Wednesday.
The Daily Star ran a report on the matter on Friday.
On Friday night, councillor Abdul Hossain started going to the houses of the extorted women to return them the money.
Some lactating mothers have already received their money back from the councillor while many others are waiting.
"Councillor Abdul Hossain came to my house on Friday night and returned Tk 500 that he had taken as bribe for giving me a card for getting benefit from the fund for assistance to lactating mothers,” said Roshid Begum, 24, wife of Abdul Gony of Baltipotti village in ward No 4 under Lalmonirhat municipality.
Another lactating mother Afroza Begum, 25, wife of Toyeb Ali of the same village said Abdul Hossain went to her house yesterday morning, begged pardon from her and returned Tk 500.
Several other lactating mothers who had to bribe the councillor for getting cards did not get back the money as of yesterday noon.
“I and other lactating mothers at Shahid Shahjahan Colony village went to councillor's house at Khochabari village in the morning for getting our money returned. The councillor told us that he will return the money,” said Sultana Begum, 22, wife of Unus Ali of Shahid Shahjahan Colony village of ward NO 4.
Councillor Abdul Hossain said, "I have already returned back the money to most of the lactating mothers in my ward. Some mothers are yet to be paid due to my financial problem. I hope I will able to return back the money to all the lactating mothers by Sunday noon.”
Local people of ward No 4 urged the authorities concerned to give due punishment to the guilty councillor Abdul Hossain.
Lalmonirhat municipality Mayor Reazul Islam Rintu said he preparing to take action against the guilty councillor.
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