An investigation has been launched into allegations of corruption against Satkhira Municipal Mayor Tajkin Ahmed Chishti.
The investigation was begun last Thursday by Mashruba Ferdous, deputy director of the local government department in Satkhira.
The investigation report will be prepared soon, she said, adding: "I am working to send a report on an urgent basis about conducting a thorough investigation in a letter signed by Mohammad Farooq Hossain, deputy secretary of the Local Government Department."
Kazi Firoz Hasan, councilor of ward four, said allegations of corruption had been leveled against the municipal mayor in at least 10 sectors.
Among these allegations are embezzlement of one crore eight lakh taka earmarked as financial assistance to poor people without consultation, remission of water bill of Tk80 lakh for personal gain, purchase of municipal oil for car fuel during recreational trips, financial loss of municipality through abuse of power, leasing in violation of various rules of the municipality and taking unethical financial benefits by issuing tenders without a budget.
However, Municipal Mayor Tashkin Ahmed Chishti denied the allegations and claimed they were a conspiracy against him.
Earlier, 11 out of 12 councilors of Satkhira Municipality lodged a complaint against Mayor Tajkin on January 13 at the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.
After receiving the complaint, Farooq Hossain signed a letter on 24 January 2022 requesting the deputy commissioner of Satkhira to send an investigative report on an urgent basis. The investigation was later handed over to the deputy head of the local government department.