Altaf Mahmud Shikdar, BNP activist, four-time elected councillor of Ward-21 and top-named of the panel mayor list yesterday assumed the post of acting mayor of the Barisal City Corporation (BCC).
Nikhil Chandra Das, chief executive officer of the BCC, confirming the development, said that an order signed by Shawkat Ali, deputy secretary at the local government and rural development ministry, reached the BCC on Saturday.
The ministry asked the number-one individuals on the previous panelmayor lists of Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet City Corporations to act as acting mayors in the concerned city corporations with all financial and administrative capabilities, till the mayor-elects take charge, the CEO of BCC said.
There was no formality while handing over charge and Altaf Mahmud Shikdar started working as the acting BCC mayor by signing some cheques and files sent to him at his ward councillor’s office, the BCC CEO confirmed.
Meanwhile, the acting BCC Mayor Altaf Mahmud, acknowledging the facts, said that he will start attending the BCC mayor’s office at the Nagar Bhaban after holding an official meeting with the councillors-elect. Until then, he will do official work from his ward councillor’s office.
It is mentionable that the list of panelmayors always remained non-functional, as defeated outgoing mayor city AL president Shawkat Hossain Hiron never gave panel mayors any opportunity to take up responsibilities as acting mayor in his absence. l
Friday, March 21, 2025
