Nilphamari Civil Surgeon's Office
Appointments flouting rules
Md Atowar Rahman, over 42 years of age as per his date of birth inscribed in the voter list used in the last local government election, joined as an MLSS of Domar upazila health complex in Bogra district last month, although the advertisement for the job mentioned 30 years as the candidates' maximum age limit. Photo: STAR
Surprisingly though, a 42-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl, also a class ten student, have joined as cook cum moshalchi in Domar and Dimla upazila health complexes, following their recruitment in violation of the government rules about the age limit. Such incidents, seen as indicator of 'gross irregularities' in recent appointment of third and fourth class employees in several upazilas of Nilphamari district under the government's health department, have given rise to widespread agitation among locals. A number of aftected people alleged that unfit candidates were selected depriving the eligible ones through bribery in Nilphamari district civil surgeon's office. "Following a complaint from me on behalf of the local freedom fighters, a deputy director of the regional office of the Anti-Corruption Commission conducted an inquiry into the matter early this month," said Zainal Abedin, chairman of Nilphamari district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad. On May 19 this year, health department published newspaper advertisement seeking applications for recruitment to 83 posts of third and fourth class employees under 12 categories, mentioning that applicants must not be less than 18 years and above 30 years of age on June 12 this year, said health department sources in Nilphamari. After completing all the formalities, Nilphamari civil surgeon (CS), also member secretary of the selection committee, published the final list of 70 recruited candidates under 11 categories on September 10. Publication of names of rest 13 recruited candidates for office assistant cum computer operator post remained suspended due to a court injunction imposed on September 7 as a candidate from a freedom fighter's family filed a petition with the senior assistant judge's court in Nilphamari, alleging corruption in giving appointments. Atowar Hossain, son of late Abul Mazid Dewan of village Chhatnai Balapara under Dimla upazila, was recruited as cook cum moshalchi, a fourth class post, and he joined Domar upazila health complex. But the Election Commission's voter list used in last local body election shows that Atowar's date of birth is March 12, 1969. Accordingly, his age on June 12 was 42 years and 3 months. Geeta Rani Bhuimali, wife of Ramesh Pal Das of Paschimpara Motukpur village in Domar upazila, was recruited as a sweeper. She joined Domar health complex but the voter list says her date of birth is April 4, 1981. Accordingly, her age was 30 years 2 months and 9 days on June 12. Parvin Akther, daughter of Md Alinur Rahman of Baburhat village of Dimla upazila, and a class ten student of Dimla High School, joined Dimla health complex as cook cum mosalchi. As per record of Dinajpur education board, her date of birth is October 1, 1995. Accordingly her age on June 12 was 16 years 5 months and 2 days. However, after joining the health complex, Parvin applied to Dinajpur education board through the headmaster of Dimla High School to 'correct' the date of birth as December 1, 1991. When this correspondent contacted Atowar for his version regarding his date of birth, he refused to talk over the matter. Geeta Rani and Parvin Akther claimed that they submitted 'authentic documents' regarding their age. Shahadat Hossain, director of health in Rangpur division, also president of the selection committee, said "Irregularities might have taken place, particularly in case of MLSS posts, as candidates submitted recommendation notes issued by headmasters and birth certificates by union parishad chairmen. In such papers, one's age is often mentioned according to the will of the people concerned. Irregularities, if any, will be detected soon at the time of police verification." He, however, added, “In fact, member secretary of the selection committee usually does the main tasks. I just put my signature on papers.” Nilphamari Civil Surgeon Abdur Rashid Akond claimed that all the appointments were made as per rules in a transparent way. “We do not consider national identity card in ascertaining candidates' age. We only consider class eight pass recommendation notes and birth certificates issued by headmaster and UP chairmen concerned," he said. Agitating candidates, on the other hand, alleged that the civil surgeon deliberately ignored national ID cards where dates of birth are clearly inscribed although it was specified in advertisement for recruitment that applicants have to submit attested photocopy of national ID card along with other documents. Cross section of people including freedom fighters have demanded cancellation of the 'dubious' appointments and punishment to the responsible persons.
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