Upazila chairman makes fortune out of 'commission'

Faridpur's Saltha Upazila Parishad Chairman and upazila Awami League president Delwar Hossain has allegedly made a fortune through corrupt practices. Local government officials and even other members of the party's local unit said he levies "commissions" from each and every government work in the upazila, according to Banglanews24.com.   Delwar is a supporter of local MP and Deputy Speaker Sajeda Chowdhury. He allegedly led the attack on local AL leader, and Sajeda's rival, ATM Halim's motorcade last month. At least 20 men, including Halim, his supporters and some journalists, were injured in the attack.   Local sources said Delwar's corrupt practices include government social safety net programmes like Kabikha (Food for Work) and test relief (TR), selling government trees, accepting money to recommend transfers and recruitments in government posts, government contracts and many others.   Several government officials of the upazila, requesting anonymity, said the upazila chairman was involved in corruption in every sector of the local administration. They said he forces government officials to take part in his corrupt ways if they are not willing.    One Fisheries Department official alleged that Delwar had asked him for a commission from a Tk400,000 project. The official was threatened of losing his job when he refused and in the end was forced to comply.   Saltha Awami League Organising Secretary Chowdhury Sabbir Ali said, "There is nothing in the upazila outside of Delwar Hossain's corruption. He got Tk50m by selling government trees."   Delwar has allegedly pocketed around Tk3.6m by recommending recruitments in peon cum security guard posts in thirteen primary schools.   Saltha Upazila Parishad Vice Chairman Lebu Molla said Delwar ensures that his brother Anwar Hossain gets all the contracts for government works in Saltha. "Government officials who try to oppose his corruption are transferred immediately," he alleged.   Delwar allegedly bypassed all due tender processes to give his brother the contracts for the upazila's roads, bridges and culvert construction.   Former Saltha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rejaul Bari alleged that Delwar had managed to transfer him from the upazila for opposing his corrupt activities.   When contacted, Upazila Chairman Delwar Hossain denied his involvement with any kind of corruption or irregularity.