Kurigram, Sep 15 (V7N) - Village police personnel in Chilmari, Kurigram, including dofadars and mohalladars, have been facing severe financial difficulties as they have not received their salary share from the Union Parishad for an extended period. Many are struggling to survive, with some regularly visiting the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office in hopes of resolving the issue. Several members have claimed that, while a few individuals have received partial arrears through favoritism, most are still awaiting their due payments.
 
Reports indicate that each of the six unions in the upazila has one dofadar and nine mohalladars, totaling 60 village police officers across the region. According to guidelines, dofadars are entitled to a monthly salary of Tk 7,000, while mohalladars should receive Tk 6,500. Half of these salaries, Tk 3,500 for dofadars and Tk 3,250 for mohalladars, is covered by the government and has been paid regularly. However, the remaining 50%, which should be provided by the Union Parishad, has been delayed, with arrears ranging from 21 to 36 months depending on the individual.
 
In addition to unpaid salaries, village police officers are also owed transportation allowances (for attending the police station), festival bonuses, Baishakhi bonuses, and recreation allowances, all of which remain unpaid.
 
According to the UNO's office, the Union Parishad’s depleted funds have resulted in Tk 40,87,750 in unpaid salaries, Tk 2,49,000 in unpaid recreation allowances, Tk 27,32,400 in overdue transportation allowances, and Tk 8,86,050 in outstanding festival bonuses. In total, the village police are owed Tk 79,55,200.
 
Every day, village police officers, both dofadars and mohalladars, are seen gathering outside the Upazila Parishad, demanding their overdue salaries and allowances. Many complain that they are struggling to survive, with outstanding payments for periods ranging from 21 to 36 months, including their salary share from the Union Parishad, transportation allowances, festival bonuses, Baishakhi bonuses, and recreation allowances. They also claim that some individuals have received partial payments due to favoritism, while others remain unpaid.
 
Md. Abdur Aziz, President of the Upazila Village Police Committee and a dofadar, said, “We have been living in hardship for up to 36 months without receiving our salary share or other allowances from the Union Parishad. Now, they are offering us only one month’s arrears, which is not enough to meet our needs.”
 
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Minhajul Islam commented, "We have already requested the necessary funds from higher authorities to clear the outstanding payments owed to the village police. Once the funds are allocated, we will settle all arrears."

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