Former adviser to the Local Government Ministry and NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan has challenged State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam to publicly identify which specific file allegedly contains irregularities during the interim government’s tenure.
Asif Mahmud issued the challenge during a live session on his verified Facebook page on Saturday night, responding to recent allegations made by the state minister.
“The allegation made by the state minister requires clarity. He should disclose the specific file to the public – if any irregularity has occurred, the public has the right to know about it,” Asif Mahmud said.
He explained that if the secretary is absent due to being abroad or for any other reason, the additional secretary is given responsibility based on seniority, which happens with the approval of the minister or adviser. “If something like that occurred, then there is no violation of the law,” he added.
Earlier, Mir Shahe Alam claimed that during the interim government’s time, Asif Mahmud passed a file for a project without the secretary’s signature.
The state minister also alleged that directives have been given to investigate the Local Government Division and its subordinate committees covering the period from 2009 to 2026 – spanning the Awami League and interim government eras – and to submit a report within 60 working days.
Highlighting alleged irregularities in Pirojpur development projects, Mir Shahe Alam claimed that after tenders were awarded, Tk6,000 crore was taken without any work being done.
“For this reason, all development projects in Pirojpur have remained stalled for the past two years. Arrangements will be made to inspect the site in Pirojpur soon and restart the stalled projects,” he said, adding that similar irregularities and corruption have occurred in road and bridge construction in many other districts.
