Discourteous behavior with journalist while Seeking info, complaint against PEO to DC

There have been allegations of demanding additional money, taking away mobile phone and discourteous behavior against Kaliganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) of Satkhira, Mofizul Islam, while submitting an application under the Right to Information Act, 2009. Arafat Ali, staff reporter of the national daily Alokit Sakal and Dakshiner Moshal, filed a written complaint with the Satkhira District Commissioner at around 12 noon on Monday, seeking redress in this incident. According to the written complaint, on August 2 (Sunday) at around 10:30 am, he went to the office of the Kaliganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer to submit various applications under the Right to Information Act, 2009. At that time, PIO Mofizul Islam demanded 4 thousand taka from him for preparing the application .

 When he said that there was no legal provision for taking additional money apart from the prescribed government fee, the PIO became angry and behaved disrespectfully and made ugly comments about the journalists, the complaint states. The complaint further states that at one stage, the PIO took away the mobile phone used by the journalist. Later, when the matter was informed to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the mobile phone was returned after about three hours through the office assistant of the PIO office Mintu Biswas.

 The written complaint has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and taking legal and departmental action against the responsible officer as well as taking necessary steps to implement the Right to Information Act. In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Ms. Kawsar Aziz received the complaint and told the journalists that the matter will be investigated seriously. If the truth of the complaint is found, necessary action will be taken as per the law and rules.

Satkhira Sadar AC Land Badruddoja Arafat Ali Satkhira Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Badruddoja has expressed his determination to create a bribe and broker-free environment to ensure transparency, transparency and a customer-friendly administration in services. He said that no bribery transactions will take place in his office.

 He urged everyone to inform him immediately if any officer, employee or anyone else illegally demands money from the service recipient. He also said that legal action will be taken against the person concerned if the complaint is proven. Md. Badruddoja said that no additional money can be accepted for all land services including registration, cancellation, and rent recovery, except for the fee prescribed by the government. Strict instructions have been given to the Provity Union Land Assistant Officer in this regard.

 He also said that if the deputy surveyor of the office or any other person illegally demands money, the victims can contact him directly. As soon as the complaint is received, an investigation will be conducted and necessary measures will be taken. He said that various effective initiatives have already been taken to ensure that the people do not fall victim to brokers or any kind of irregularities. He also urged the service recipients to present any complaints or suggestions directly to him. Regarding rumors or purposeful propaganda, he said that his main goal is to serve the people while in government service.

 Therefore, he wants to continue to perform his duties with honesty and integrity without being disturbed by baseless propaganda. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Badruddoza said that his main goal is to achieve the satisfaction of the service recipients by ensuring fast, transparent and quality land services without any kind of harassment.