Investigation Committee Formed Over Alleged Tk 4.6 Million Financial Discrepancy at Kumira Residential Girls School.

MD. OMAR FARUK SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. A five-member investigation committee has been formed by the Sitakunda Upazila administration to investigate allegations of financial discrepancies amounting to nearly Tk 4.6 million, failure to properly account for government project funds, and various financial and administrative irregularities at Kumira Residential Girls’ School and College in Sitakunda, Chattogram. An official order regarding the matter was issued from the office of the Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) on August 11. The order, signed by UNO Md. Fakhrul Islam, instructed the committee to conduct an on-site investigation into the allegations and submit a report. According to Upazila administration sources, local resident Md. Nizam Uddin submitted a written complaint alleging financial irregularities, corruption and administrative misconduct against the institution’s principal. Following the complaint, the investigation committee was formed to verify the allegations. Audit Raises Questions Over Tk 4.6 Million One of the major issues concerns the institution’s income and expenditure accounts from 2018 to 2024. An audit report prepared by a private audit firm, Mahamud Sabuj & Co., reportedly identified discrepancies amounting to nearly Tk 4.6 million. The audit report reviewed income from various fees, expenditures, bank transactions, government funds, bills, vouchers and other financial documents and identified several inconsistencies. The report also mentioned an expenditure of Tk 189,563 under a “loan distribution” category. However, satisfactory information regarding who received the money, the purpose of the payments and the supporting documents was reportedly not found. Questions Over Proceeds From Sale of Old Materials There are also allegations that money earned from the sale of old examination papers, discarded documents and other unused materials was not properly deposited as institutional income or recorded in the accounts. The audit report also reportedly identified deficiencies in bills and vouchers, including missing voucher numbers, authorized signatures and supporting documents for expenditures. There was even an allegation that a blank paper bearing the signature of a senior teacher was used for making payments. Tk 500,000 Government Project Funds Under Scrutiny Another important issue before the investigation committee is Tk 500,000 received under the PBGSI project. According to the allegations and information contained in the audit report, Tk 500,000 from the government project was withdrawn from the Sitakunda branch of Agrani Bank in 2023 under a single signature. However, the audit report reportedly found no adequate bills, vouchers or detailed accounts showing how the money was spent. As government project funds are required to be properly documented and accounted for, the matter is expected to receive significant attention during the investigation. Administrative Management Also Questioned The allegations are not limited to financial matters. Questions have also been raised regarding the institution’s administrative management. Among the allegations are that the post of assistant head teacher has remained vacant for nearly 20 years, along with claims of irregularities in internal management and various administrative decisions. The investigation committee is expected to examine these allegations as well as the financial irregularities mentioned in the audit report. Five-Member Investigation Committee According to the official order issued by the Upazila administration, Karnana Rahman, Upazila Agriculture Officer, has been appointed convener of the committee. Other members are Golam Rahman Chowdhury, Upazila Education Officer; Md. Dinajul Alam, Head Teacher of Sitakunda Girls’ High School; and Mobarak Ali, Senior Teacher of Captain Shamsul Huda High School. Ismat Ara Begum, Upazila Secondary Education Officer, has been appointed as member-secretary. The order also states that the committee may co-opt additional members with the approval of the concerned authority, if necessary. Principal Denies Allegations However, Md. Nasir Uddin, principal of Kumira Residential Girls’ School and College, denied the allegations. He claimed that the audit and complaints were made with the intention of implicating him and said he does not directly handle the institution’s financial transactions. “I believe this audit was conducted with the intention of implicating me. I do not directly handle any institutional funds. The allegations against me are not true,” the principal said. Action If Allegations Are Proven: UNO Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer and chairman of the institution, Md. Fakhrul Islam, said the administration has taken note of the allegations. “If the allegations are found to be true through the investigation, action will be taken against those responsible in accordance with the relevant rules,” he said. The formation of the investigation committee has now opened the way for verification of the alleged Tk 4.6 million financial discrepancy, the reported Tk 189,563 loan distribution, proceeds from the sale of old materials, irregularities in bills and vouchers, and the Tk 500,000 PBGSI project funds. The allegations have raised concerns among guardians and members of the local community regarding the financial and administrative management of the educational institution. They have demanded a fair and transparent investigation and appropriate action against those responsible if the allegations are proven. The allegations are currently under investigation. The actual facts and responsibility regarding the issues raised in the audit report will become clear after the investigation committee submits its report.