SYLHET, June 21: The government has withdrawn Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate Mohammad Sarwar Alam from his current post and attached him to the Public Administration Ministry as a Deputy Secretary, triggering widespread discussion in administrative and public circles.
The Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday (June 21) issued a notification signed by its Senior Assistant Secretary Jeti Pru. The notification stated that the transfer was made in the public interest and would take effect immediately.
While the official order did not mention any specific reason for the move, the transfer came amid growing attention surrounding Sarwar Alam's recent efforts to introduce transparency and accountability in the management of donations at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA), two of Bangladesh's most revered religious sites.
The timing of the transfer has drawn particular attention because it follows a series of administrative measures undertaken by the Sylhet DC to monitor and regulate the collection and management of donations at the two shrines.
Sarwar Alam was made the DC in Sylhet on August 18 last year while its then-DC Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad was removed from the position due to the white stone scam.
Over the years, questions had frequently been raised regarding the financial management of donations offered by thousands of devotees who visit the shrines daily. Visitors contribute cash, gold, livestock and other valuables, generating substantial revenue for the shrine administrations.
According to sources, concerns over financial transparency emerged during the implementation of a development project under the Planning Ministry. During a meeting chaired by the DC, shrine authorities were reportedly asked to provide records of income and expenditures but were unable to present satisfactory documentation.
