Expatriate Welfare Adviser Ariful Haque Chowdhury has praised the initiative taken by recently transferred Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwoer Alam to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of donations at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA).
“He (Sarwoer Alam) has opened our eyes. We will work in that direction to fulfil public expectations,” Ariful said on Wednesday while speaking to journalists at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet after arriving on a four-day visit.
He said the government would also work to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of shrine donations.
Responding to questions over the recent shrine developments and the transfer of the deputy commissioner, Ariful said ensuring transparency in donation handling required collective support.
“We will extend full cooperation from the government side and ensure transparency and accountability together. There will be no compromise on this issue,” he said.
The minister also said he had discussed the matter with the commerce minister in parliament after returning from abroad, adding that there was consensus on ensuring public expectations regarding shrine management.
Describing the transfer of the deputy commissioner as a routine administrative matter, Ariful said it was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Administration and not linked to the shrine issue.
Separately, he spoke about the recent road accident in Qatar that killed five expatriates from Sylhet, saying the government was working to repatriate the bodies and provide assistance to the affected families on a priority basis.
He also said initiatives were underway at Osmani International Airport to improve facilities for expatriates, including medical support, security and rest areas.
Officials of the administration and airport authorities were present during the briefing.
Sealing of donation cauldrons at shrines
On June 18, the district administration sealed three traditional donation cauldrons (degs) at the Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) shrine and replaced them with donation boxes under its supervision, with Ansar personnel deployed for security.
Earlier, on June 12, Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwoer Alam visited the shrines and announced steps to ensure transparency and accountability in donation management.
Following the initiative, the previous donation boxes were sealed and new boxes installed under district administration supervision. Officials said the move aimed to make donation collection more organized and secure, with all contributions now being deposited directly into the newly installed boxes.
Transfer and controversy
On Sunday, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification transferring Sarwoer Alam and attaching him as deputy secretary to the ministry. The order did not specify any reason for the transfer.
Sources within the administration and shrine circles said the transfer came after the district administration’s move to reform donation management at the shrines, triggering widespread discussion.
Public counting of donations
On Monday at 1:15pm, just before leaving his post, the outgoing deputy commissioner visited the Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) shrine, where he opened the sealed cauldrons and donation boxes in public view.
Over four days, Tk 17,65,549 was collected. Officials also found gold ornaments, US dollars, British pounds and letters among the offerings.