The Agriculturists Association of Bangladesh on Tuesday called for the formation of an independent committee to investigate alleged financial irregularities and administrative corruption at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh.
At a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the AAB also demanded that authorities announce the election schedule for KIB in accordance with its constitution and immediately withdraw what it described as false cases filed against agriculturists.
The association further urged the appointment of a neutral and senior agriculturist as KIB administrator, and called for the removal and investigation of the current administrator, retired Lieutenant Colonel Md. Abdur Rob Khan, for his involvement in alleged irregularities.
AAB convener Kamruzzaman Kaiser stated that the Department of Social Services had appointed Khan as KIB administrator for a 90-day term starting February 12 to arrange elections and transfer responsibilities. However, Kaiser claimed that despite the extension of Khan鈥檚 tenure twice 鈥� until October 17 鈥� no elections were held, and instead, he allegedly engaged in misappropriation involving development projects, repairs, and recruitment worth crores of taka.
AAB member secretary Shahadat Hossain Biplob accused the administrator of overstepping his authority by carrying out development work and recruitment without proper procedures. 鈥楬e appointed his preferred individuals, inflated expenses without quotations, and misappropriated funds,鈥� Biplob said.
The AAB also alleged that despite repeated calls for elections, Khan failed to act.
鈥楬e formed a constitutionally non-compliant election commission, which was composed of individuals with political affiliations, leading to protests from agriculturists,鈥� Biplob added.
AAB leaders also reported that Sayedur Rahman Khan, the director general of the Department of Social Services, assured them that a new administrator would be appointed within three days and that Khan鈥檚 tenure would not be extended.
They claimed that despite this assurance, false cases were filed against agriculturists, accusing them of vandalism after they requested Khan to refrain from attending the office until receiving lawful directives.
