Allegations of pond lease business against Godagari Land Office Peon

Atiqur Rahman (Atik), an office assistant (peon) of Godagari Upazila Land Office in Rajshahi, has been accused of irregularities, bribery and abuse of power in the Khas Pond Lease process. Local resident Rabiul Islam has filed a written complaint in this regard with the Upazila Executive Officer and the President of the Jalmahal Lease Committee. The complaint states that despite working as an office assistant, Atiqur Rahman is influencing various files and activities related to the Khas Pond Lease. The complaint states that when a person goes to inquire about the Khas Pond Lease, he is offered to do the...

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Atiqur Rahman (Atik), an office assistant (peon) of Godagari Upazila Land Office in Rajshahi, has been accused of irregularities, bribery and abuse of power in the Khas Pond Lease process. Local resident Rabiul Islam has filed a written complaint in this regard with the Upazila Executive Officer and the President of the Jalmahal Lease Committee.
The complaint states that despite working as an office assistant, Atiqur Rahman is influencing various files and activities related to the Khas Pond Lease. The complaint states that when a person goes to inquire about the Khas Pond Lease, he is offered to do the work in exchange for money. The complainant also claims that money is demanded even when his name is removed from the list of Khas Ponds or listed.
The written complaint further states that money was taken on the promise of settling some Khas ponds at a low price, which were not included in the published and approved list of leaseable ponds for the first term of Bengali 1433-1435. The complainant has also submitted copies of some receipts of the money to the concerned authorities in support of this claim.
The complaint states that an additional amount of up to Tk 1,000 per document is collected for executing the lease agreement of the government Khas pond. It is also alleged that money is also demanded for information related to the pond, duplicate records and other government services.
When contacted on mobile phone, accused Atiqur Rahman did not comment directly on the complaint and said that he would come to the office to talk.
Godagari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Israt Jahan said that he was busy in an urgent meeting and asked to discuss the matter with the Assistant Commissioner (Land).
Godagari Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shamsul Islam said regarding the complaint, “There is no scope for such irregularities. If anyone has done so, an investigation will be conducted based on specific information and evidence and necessary action will be taken.”
Complainant Md. Rabiul Islam said that a copy of the same complaint has also been sent to the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Rajshahi District Office. He demanded a proper investigation into the complaint and legal action against those responsible.
Meanwhile, local sources claim that an influential syndicate has been active for a long time focusing on the lease of Jalmahal and Khas Pukur. It is alleged that members of that group are taking advantage of the lease process by exerting influence in various ways. News about the matter has been published in various media outlets in the past as well.