Rajshahi, July 3 (V7N) — Allegations have emerged in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi district that leaders of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami have divided among themselves a large portion of the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) cards meant for underprivileged women. The reported irregularities have sparked concern and prompted a delegation from the National Citizen Party (NCP) to visit the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office on Wednesday, though no resolution was reached.
According to local sources, the Belpukuria Union Parishad under Puthia Upazila was allocated 400 VGD cards under the government’s women development program. In response, 1,657 individuals had submitted applications for assistance. Of the total cards, 225 were allegedly claimed by BNP leaders and 90 by Jamaat-e-Islami representatives.
Upon learning of the distribution irregularities, NCP’s Rajshahi District Coordination Committee Joint Coordinator Shamima Sultana and several party members visited the UNO’s office seeking intervention. “BNP and Jamaat reportedly took control of all the VGD cards in Belpukuria Union, allegedly pressuring the chairman into signing off on the list. Where does that leave the general public?” Shamima said after exiting the meeting.
She emphasized that their visit was not for political gain. “We came because we received complaints that VGD cards were being sold in exchange for money. We want to ensure the cards go to those who are genuinely in need.”
Union Parishad Chairman Badiuzzaman, fearing forced resignation and public humiliation, did not attend office on Wednesday. He explained that ward members were tasked with preparing a shortlist of eligible recipients to be submitted to the union committee, which would then forward it to the upazila committee for final approval. However, pressure from BNP and Jamaat leaders disrupted the process. “I had suggested to the UNO that a lottery be held to ensure fairness,” Badiuzzaman said.
He added that earlier this week, Ward No. 3 member and former BNP ward president Nurul Islam visited the UNO and secured approval for a “negotiated list” instead of a lottery. “I have since asked the UNO again to conduct a lottery. That is now the plan.”
Investigations revealed that Abu Bakkar, former general secretary of the Union BNP, and Jamaat leader Faisul Islam were directly involved in the card allocation. Abu Bakkar admitted, “We took 225 cards for BNP and Jamaat took 90. The rest were recommended for the chairman, union members, and NCP.”
Attempts to reach Jamaat leader Faisul Islam for comment were unsuccessful.
UNO A.K.M. Nur Hossain confirmed that the NCP leaders had raised concerns over political interference. “They told me they don’t want any political group dividing the cards. I informed them that if the union committee is unable to make a fair list, a lottery will be conducted. Once we receive written notification from the union verification committee, the upazila will proceed with the lottery to resolve the issue.”
The VGD program, a government initiative targeting ultra-poor women, is a vital support system in rural Bangladesh. Any political manipulation or misuse undermines the intended impact and erodes public trust in local governance.
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