Councillor Mominul removed

The government on Thursday removed Dhaka South City Corporation’s ward 9 councillor AKM Mominul Haque Shaeed for violating clauses of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009.

An order issued by the local government and rural development ministry secretary Helaluddin read the ministry took the decision against Mominul, ward councillor of Fakirapool-Arambagh area in the capital, for staying abroad without the ministry’s permission and not attending corporation’s board meetings.

Anti-Corruption Commission was also investigating involvement of Dhaka City South Juba League unit joint general secretary Mominul in illegal casino trade along with 42 other Awami League and Juba League leaders, businessmen and executive members of some reputed clubs.

Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club Hockey committee chairman and Mohammedan Sporting Club member, Mominul was also the general secretary of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation.

Rapid Action Battalion in September seized illegal casino gambling appliances from Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club and Mohammedan Sporting Club and arrested a few people involved with those.

Explaining the reason for removing Momiul from his post, Helaluddin told New Age the city corporation act allowed the government to remove a councillor if the person stayed abroad without permission of the ministry.

Helal said the ministry took the decision following an inquiry based on a written complaint against Mominul sent by Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sayeed Khokon on June 26 demanding his suspension for breaching discipline, remaining absent from board meetings and visiting abroad without permission.

A show cause notice was issued on July 7 asking Mominul to explain his position for going abroad without permission and remaining absent from 13 out of 18 board meetings of the corporation held since 2015, Helal said adding that the ministry was not convinced with his explanation.

‘The law does not allow a councillor to remain absent from more than three meetings without valid ground but he remained absent for once in six meetings in a row and another time for four consecutive meetings,’ he said.

‘We will request the election commission soon to declare his post vacant,’ Helal said.

Mominul could not be contacted for his comment as he was visiting Singapore since the drive against illegal casino trade began.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net