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TL;DR
- Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh allegedly misused city resources by allocating a vehicle for personal lunch transport, costing 28 lakh taka in fuel over 51 months.
- He reportedly used three city corporation cars for personal and family use, with total fuel costs reaching around 2 crore taka.
- Taposh allowed unauthorized use of city vehicles by former student leaders and a personal employee, raising questions about protocol adherence.
- Urban planners have criticized his actions as a misuse of public resources, calling for an investigation and accountability.
Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, the former mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, has come under scrutiny for allegedly misusing city resources during his tenure. Reports indicate that a vehicle was allocated specifically to transport lunch from his Banani residence to the Nagar Bhaban, incurring a fuel cost of 28 lakh taka over 51 months. The car, which traveled approximately 22 kilometers daily, was used solely for this purpose, with 20 liters of octane allocated per day.
In addition to the lunch transport vehicle, Taposh reportedly used three city corporation cars for personal and family use. He also allowed two former student leaders and a personal employee to use city vehicles, further increasing the fuel expenditure to around 2 crore taka over his tenure. This allocation of resources has raised questions about adherence to official protocols, as mayors are typically entitled to only one city corporation vehicle.
Taposh’s actions have sparked criticism from urban planners and officials who view the misuse of public resources as unprecedented. Adil Muhammad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, described Taposh’s actions as a “fraud on the people,” calling for a thorough investigation into his use of city corporation assets. Khan emphasized the need for accountability and suggested reclaiming taxpayer money spent on these vehicles.
Taposh, who assumed office in May 2020 and left Bangladesh in August 2024 amid political upheaval, is currently believed to be residing in Singapore. His tenure has been marked by controversy, including allegations of breaking rules regarding vehicle allocation and usage. As the investigation unfolds, it highlights broader issues of governance and accountability within public offices in Bangladesh.
Source: Prothom Alo
