The people of Kushlia Union Parishad (UP) in Kaliganj upazila, in an application submitted to the Prime Minister (PM) recently, demanded stern punishment to UP chairman for declaring their union fully sanitised fraudulently.

They alleged that Kushlia UP chairman Kazi Ebadul Islam managed to take a certificate from Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Moniruzzaman by submitting fake documents aiming at receiving Tk 2 lakh cash award and certificate from the government for success in sanitation although 'it was far from reality'.

The people sought PM's interven-

tion so that the chairman can not draw the money by cheating the government.

A source said to this correspondent Kazi Ebadul Islam joined the BNP from the Awami League (AL) recently to get rid of the punishment.

Local people also alleged that half of the families in the union got ring slabs from the UP.

However, after the chairman's announcement, a group of journalists visited several villages in the union and conducted a survey on October 5. During the survey, they saw most of the ring slabs were piled up on the UP office premises. They found only a few villagers received the ring slabs and piled up those on the courtyards of

their houses while others set up latrines but did not erect fences. A few others erected were seen to have been erected fences by coconut leaves, palm and banana leaves but did not make roofs. Even some others erected latrines but they are yet to use those.

A team of the district administration led by additional deputy commissioner (ADC-General) Humayun Kabir visited different areas in the UP on October 3. The teammates expressed their dissatisfaction over slow progress of the programme.

While contacted, Kaliganj UNO Sheikh Moniruzzaman told thi correspondent an investigation is going on regarding the matter.