Pabna, Jan 16, (V7N) - A serious allegation has been made against the Executive Director of the Manobseba Development Organization in Chatmohor, Pabna, regarding an attempt to embezzle project funds. The project in question, which was intended to provide high-quality cow calves to poor women, appears to have been a cover for a fraudulent activity.
 
The project was supposed to provide 10 women with calves, with a total fund allocation of 500,000 BDT. However, after gathering the women under the pretext of giving them the calves, the women were photographed holding calves for a "training" session. But none of the women actually received the calves, and the animals were returned to the farm after the photo session.
 
Two weeks have passed since the event, but none of the women have received the promised calves, leading to widespread frustration among the beneficiaries. Local residents have expressed their anger, and the situation has sparked a heated debate in the community.
 
According to local sources, on December 30, the Manobseba Development Organization, with financial support from the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF), invited 10 poor women to Railbazar. The NGO's Executive Director, M. S. Alam Bablu, allegedly brought 10 cow calves from a farm to be distributed to the women. A photo session was conducted with the women holding the calves, but after the session, they were given only khichuri and eggs before being sent away. The calves were later returned to the same farm from where they came.
 
One of the women, Khushi Khatun from Kubirdia's Matpara village, shared her disappointment. She was invited for the so-called training, where she held the calf for the photo but did not receive any cow. She was told that she would receive the calf later, but nothing has come of it so far. Khushi also mentioned that she had previously been given a goat by Mr. Bablu, for which she had to pay 1,300 BDT in cash.
 
Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, also shared that after the photo session, they were told that the cows would be distributed later, but they have yet to receive anything.
 
The driver of the vehicle used to transport the calves, Shuvo Das, confirmed that he had transported the calves from a farm in Mathurapur to the location, but after the event, the calves were returned to the same farm.
 
When asked about the issue, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Chatmohor, Musa Naser Chowdhury, stated that he had been invited to the event but was unable to attend due to his busy schedule. He claimed he was unaware of the details of the project but promised to investigate the matter.
 
Mustafa Kamal Bhuiyan, the Deputy General Manager (Program) of the Bangladesh NGO Foundation, confirmed that the Manobseba Development Organization had been allocated 500,000 BDT for the project. The first installment of 300,000 BDT had been disbursed, with the remaining 200,000 BDT contingent on the successful implementation of the project. He stated that they were awaiting a report from the UNO’s office and would take appropriate action if any irregularities were found.
 
The accused, M. S. Alam Bablu, defended himself, claiming that 10 women had indeed received the calves, and others would be given theirs in future projects. He denied any wrongdoing, asserting that there were no irregularities.
 
However, local residents remain skeptical. They believe that the NGO’s director is attempting to embezzle the project funds and that the promised calves may never be distributed to the poor women.
 
END/SR/SMA/