The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet), Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam, has instructed Sonali Bank PLC’s Cuet branch to halt the distribution of salaries and allowances for teachers, officers, and employees for September 2026.
The directive was issued following allegations that salary and allowance documentation was submitted to the bank without obtaining the vice-chancellor’s mandatory approval.
On Tuesday, the vice-chancellor issued a statutory notice and instruction to the manager of Sonali Bank PLC, Cuet branch, titled “Statutory notice and direction regarding unauthorised submission of salary and allowance distribution for September 2026.”
‘Unauthorised’ submission and legal notice
According to the letter, officials from the office of the Comptroller (financial and accounts administrative officer) were officially summoned on 28 September to take necessary administrative measures for disbursing monthly salaries and allowances.
However, the concerned officials failed to attend and bypassed administrative directions.
The letter noted that two officials from the Comptroller’s office subsequently submitted the bills for September’s salary and festival allowance to the bank without obtaining compulsory prior approval from the vice-chancellor.
Characterising the action as an “unauthorised and illegal submission,” the vice-chancellor cited Section 11(12) of the Cuet Act, 2003, asserting that financial transactions without explicit vice-chancellor approval are legally unacceptable.
The letter stated that departmental disciplinary proceedings are being initiated against the two officials concerned.
Additionally, Sonali Bank’s Cuet branch was instructed not to release funds on the basis of unauthorised documents, with a warning that bank officials would be held liable if funds were released in breach of this directive.
Prior to this, on 5 October, Sonali Bank’s Cuet branch sent a letter to the vice-chancellor stating that salary sheets and cheques bearing the signatures of Cuet’s Comptroller and Deputy Comptroller had been received for paying September’s salaries, allowances, and other dues.
Faculty reactions over non-disbursement
Regarding the non-disbursement of salaries, Assistant Professor Samiun Bashir, Joint Secretary of the Cuet Teachers’ Association, initially told TIMES of Bangladesh that he did not wish to comment.
He noted, however, that despite it being 6 October, funds had not yet reached their accounts, adding that their procedures were clear and that he understood the new vice-chancellor had directed the bank manager to withhold salary distribution.
Professor Dr Md Moinul Islam, Controller of Examinations (Additional Charge) at CUET, also declined to make detailed comments but noted that in his 27 years of service, he had never witnessed such an incident.
He mentioned that salaries are usually credited to accounts by the 1st or 2nd of the month, but remained unpaid as of 6 October.
Ongoing campus deadlock
The financial freeze occurs amidst ongoing campus protests that began on 21 September, when students demanded the reinstatement of former vice-chancellor Professor Dr Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem.
Academic activities remain suspended and teachers are observing a work abstention, as students continue their movement rejecting the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Sheikh Shariful Alam.
The new directive on salary distribution has created fresh uncertainty over salary payments for teachers, officers, and staff amidst the ongoing university deadlock.
