Sylhet, Dec 14 (V7N) – The recent posting of Shakhi Shep, a 36th BCS cadre officer and spouse of Awami League leader and potential parliamentary candidate Delwar Hossain Faruk, as Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Golapganj, Sylhet, has ignited widespread debate and speculation in the area.

Despite formal assignment by the Ministry of Public Administration, she has yet to take charge at the local office. The responsibilities are currently being performed by Milton Chandra Pal, the transferred UNO from Dhaka. According to him, although he has been reassigned to a private firm project in Dhaka, he continues to handle Golapganj duties temporarily, as none of the newly appointed UNOs, including two previous female appointees, have joined their posts. He noted that Shakhi Shep communicated with him briefly one week prior but has not confirmed her arrival since.

Her appointment has stirred concern and gossip among local residents, given her influential family background. Critics argue that such postings undermine impartial administration, especially in the politically sensitive period leading up to the national election on February 12. Reports have also indicated threats and warnings circulating against her presence in Sylhet, reflecting tensions over perceived political favoritism.

Shakhi Shep hails from Gopalganj, while her husband’s base is in Laksam, Comilla. The controversy highlights broader discussions about the intersection of political influence and civil service appointments in Bangladesh, raising questions about governance transparency and local administrative integrity.

Local sources have described growing dissatisfaction with the practice of appointing politically connected individuals to key administrative positions, particularly in election-sensitive areas. Authorities have yet to comment on measures to ensure impartiality and the smooth functioning of local governance in Golapganj.

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