Action against RU official protested

The demonstrators observed a work abstention programme yesterday and threatened to bring all accounts-related activities to a halt.

Led by Deputy Director of Accounts Ashraf-ul Huda, the agitators collected the signatures of some 200 officials and employees in favour of their demonstration and submitted a memorandum to the VC, giving a three-day ultimatum to withdraw the 'illegal' decision.

VC Prof Altaf Hossain assured the agitators of considering their demands in the next syndicate meeting to be held on July 25.

Earlier, the RU authorities had decided to prohibit Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) Hasin Ahmed Khan from all service benefits, including promotion and increment for one year.

The decision, taken on July 18 by the RU finance committee (FC), is likely to be approved in the next syndicate meeting.

The decision was taken as Hasin did not deposit the university funds with the IBBL, the demonstrators said, adding that it is a heavy punishment for a 'modest mistake.

They also claimed the decision was 'politically motivated' because the treasurer and FC chairman had overlooked it earlier.

Hasin Ahmed Khan deposited over Tk 60 lakh from the provident funds of RU staffs as fixed deposit (FDR) to four private banks, approved by the VC and acting treasurer.

But during its approval in the FC, Prof Nazrul Islam, an FC member, opposed it.

Prof Nazrul, also one of the 13 members of IBBL board of directors, alleged that Hasin has made the FDR illegally in order to gain personal benefits.

Prof Nazrul told The Daily Star that Hasin has committed a grievous crime by getting the deposits approved by the RU registrar, who was then acting as treasurer in the absence of treasurer. "He didn't even get the approval of the FC before making the deposit."

He denied the allegations that he was angry with Hasin for not depositing the money with the IBBL and that the punitive measures was intentional.

However, the three-member investigation committee, headed by Prof Raihana Ansari of Finance and Banking department, found Prof Nazrul's allegations baseless.

"The punitive measures taken against Hasin is not recommended in our (probe) report, but I can't comment more than that", Prof Raihana Ansari told The Daily Star yesterday.