An investigation has confirmed allegations that the Chairman of Achim Patuli Union Parishad in Phulbariya Upazila, Mymensingh, collected Tk 100 per family card application online, targeting poor women, officials said Friday.
The three-member probe committee, headed by Upazila Social Services Officer Mozammel Haque, conducted an on-site investigation and verified that poor women were asked to pay Tk 100 while applying for family cards online. The committee is expected to submit its final report on Sunday.
Earlier, the Union Chairman, Imrul Kayes, had posted on his Facebook page about the online family card application process, stating that no nominee is required, and applicants need only an NID card, a passport-sized photo, mobile number, and signature. Only women were eligible to apply. Following this post, women who applied at the Union Parishad office on February 26 were reportedly charged Tk 100 each. A video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking local outrage.
In response, on February 28, the Phulbariya Upazila administration formed a three-member investigation committee, led by Mozammel Haque, and instructed them to submit a report within three working days.
Sources said that the family card initiative was announced as part of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s electoral pledge to distribute family cards among women. Initially, one union from 14 upazilas, including Nandail, was selected as a pilot, but Phulbariya’s Achim Patuli Union reportedly started accepting applications independently, raising questions among locals.
Phulbariya UNO Md. Ariful Islam said the viral video clearly shows the irregularities, adding that further actions will be taken after receiving the official investigation report.
