Allegations of irregularities in the payment of travel and daily allowance (TADA) bills have surfaced at the family planning offices in Madaripur, with field-level employees claiming they have been forced to pay 25–30 per cent of their bills as ‘commission’ for nearly 16 years.
Government employees working under the family planning department are entitled to TADA payments for travel expenses incurred while carrying out field duties.
However, several workers at Madaripur Sadar Upazila Family Planning Office alleged that a portion of their approved allowance is taken after the money is deposited into their bank accounts.
According to the complaints, employees are asked to send a fixed percentage of their bill amount through mobile financial services such as bKash, while some payments are allegedly made in cash. Workers claimed that more than 200 field-level employees in different unions have been affected by the practice.
Family Planning Inspector of Kalikapur and Peyarpur unions, Sakhawat Hossain, admitted collecting the alleged commission. He claimed that 25–30 per cent of TADA payments received by health workers and field staff are collected and handed over to the accounts assistant at the Sadar Upazila Family Planning Office.
“We have been paying this commission for around 16 years. After the TADA money enters our accounts, a portion is sent through bKash,” he said, adding that workers have little choice despite having to spend their own money while performing official duties.
Health Inspector Khadija Akter alleged that employees are afraid to protest as they fear harassment, delayed bills or transfers to distant workplaces.
Similar allegations have also emerged from Kalkini Upazila Family Planning Office, where some workers claimed commissions were collected from TADA bills. However, accounts assistant Suman Ganguly denied the allegations, saying such claims were false and that bills are now processed online.
Kalkini Upazila Family Planning Officer Md Abdur Rahman said action would be taken if any employee was found involved in such activities.
Madaripur Sadar accounts assistant Kalidas Majumder declined to comment, directing queries to senior officials. Sadar Upazila Family Planning Officer Sanjida said the matter would be investigated and action taken if evidence was found.
Madaripur Deputy Director of Family Planning Matiur Rahman said there is no government rule allowing commission deductions from TADA bills. “If anyone has taken money illegally, an investigation will be conducted and action will follow,” he said.
Field workers have demanded a proper investigation, saying they want only their legitimate entitlements, not special favours.
