2 Narayanganj assistant commissioners transferred over late attendance

Two assistant commissioners (land) of the Siddhirganj and Fatullah revenue circles under Narayanganj Sadar Upazila have been transferred after an inspection by the state minister for land found several officials and employees absent from their offices during working hours.

The transfers were ordered by the ministry following the surprise inspection at the upazila land office, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) of Narayanganj Zakia Sarwar Lima confirmed.

She said Debjani Kar, assistant commissioner (land) of Siddhirganj Revenue Circle, has been transferred to Khulna, while Angmaching Marma, assistant commissioner (land) of Fatullah Revenue Circle, has been transferred to Chattogram.

According to show-cause notices issued to the officials, State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin found the officials and employees absent when he visited the land office.

Although they were not present, they had signed the attendance register in advance on 31 August, according to the notices.

The notices described the practice as a serious offence under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. They also said remaining absent from office or arriving late without reasonable cause was a clear violation of the Government Servants (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019.

The officials were asked to provide written explanations within three working days.

The notices were served on the two ACs (Land) and 18 other officials and employees of the Sadar, Fatullah and Siddhirganj land offices.

They submitted written replies defending themselves to Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Rinat Fowzia.

However, Siddhirganj Land Office Assistant Commissioner (Land) Debjani Kar said the transfer was not a disciplinary measure.

“I was on leave due to illness on the day of the incident, and the district commissioner was also aware of this. It is true that I have been transferred, but it was not a punitive transfer,” she said.

Meanwhile, officials and employees who have been working at the same office for more than three years are being listed, and further action will be taken against them later, according to the district administration.

Earlier, on the morning of 31 August, State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin visited the Sadar Upazila Land Office in the Khanpur area of Narayanganj city.

The offices of the Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner and the Fatullah and Siddhirganj revenue circles are located adjacent to one another on the same premises.

The state minister entered the office a few minutes before 9am. However, several officials and employees had not arrived even after 9am.

He then inspected the attendance register. During the inspection, he found several officials and employees absent, and some had signed the register in advance despite not being present.

He subsequently instructed the district administration to investigate the matter and take action against those allegedly involved.