UNO is unaware about shut of office

Sirajul Islam Shishir:

Service seekers, who often crowd in front the office of the Department of Women Affairs in Tarash of Sirajganj district, are being forced to go back with empty hands as the office remains shut without leave or holiday on the plea of manpower shortage.

As a result, hundreds of women in the Chalan Beel dominated areas are being deprived of services from the office due to negligence of the concerned employees and officers.

Though such condition has been prevailing in the office for long, the authorities concerned especially UNO of Tarash-Nusrat Zahan claimed that she was unaware about the situation, when this correspondent talked to her over the issue.

Photo: Collected

Service seekers complained that, such situation has been developed at the office due to massive negligence and lack of supervision by the authorities concerned.

The Department of Women Affairs basically performs various development works including female welfare, ensuring empowerment to the poor and unemployed women, distributing small loans and financial supports and providing training to the women.

Babul Akhtar Khan, Accountant and Credit Officer of the District Women’s Affairs Department, said, ” Currently, there is no manpower in the Tarash Women’s Affairs Department. Earlier, there was one officer, one office assistant and one peon, but now there is none, due to which the office is always closed. This situation will continue until manpower is appointed. We have nothing to do.”

During a spot visit to the office on Sunday last, this correspondent found that all of the office rooms were locked. No one of the staffs and officers was present there. Those, who came to the office for services, were seen to go back.

Aklima Khatun, Rahima Khatun and Monira Begum of the neighboring villages said, they were going back with empty hands due to closure of the office. They came to the office thrice to fourth times in a week, but no officer was found there. Office remains shut.

While contacted, Kaniz Fatima, Deputy Director of District Women Affairs Department in Sirajganj said, “Due to manpower crisis, such situation has been created there. One officer is now serving at two places Raiganj and Tarash. This is why, the office remains shut down.”

She also suggested talking to UNO of Tarash regarding the matter.

Nusrat Zahan, UNO of Tarash said, “I am not aware about the manpower crisis of the office and even closure of the office. I shall inform the matter to my senior officers soon.”