11 Jamaat MPs challenge district assignments of ministers, whips in HC

Eleven opposition lawmakers have filed a writ petition with the High Court (HC) challenging the government’s decision to assign ministers, state ministers and whips to oversee and coordinate government activities in all 64 districts.

The writ was filed with the relevant branch on Sunday, said petitioners’ lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir.

The petitioners are Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami MPs Muhammad Nazibur Rahman (Pabna-1), Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Dhaka-14), Md Golam Rabbani (Rangpur-5), Md Nurul Islam (Chapainawabganj-3), Md Masud Parves (Chuadanga-1), Muhammad Azizur Rahman (Jashore-1), Shaikh Monzurul Haque Rahad (Bagerhat-2), Md Shafiqul Islam (Patuakhali-2), Md Rashedul Islam Rashed (Sherpur-1), Salah Uddin (Gazipur-4) and Mohammad Zahirul Islam (Chattogram-16).

Shishir Manir said a similar decision was taken in 2001 to distribute district-level responsibilities among ministers, state ministers and whips.

A writ petition challenging that decision was filed at the time, following which the High Court declared the decision unconstitutional, he said.

“According to the Rules of Business, the Constitution of Bangladesh and judgements of the higher courts, such a decision is beyond legal authority and unlawful,” the lawyer said.

The government issued a gazette notification on August 27, assigning 30 ministers, state ministers and whips district-wise responsibilities to oversee and coordinate government activities.

According to the notification, they will supervise and coordinate district-level activities relating to law and order, prevention of corruption and drug abuse, good governance, transparency and accountability, as well as development and public welfare programmes.

The government said it took the decision amid concerns over alleged misuse of development allocations in various districts through widespread corruption.

It also expressed concern that proceeds from such activities have allegedly been siphoned abroad or used for activities linked to drug abuse, social degradation and threats to public and state security.

The district-wise assignments are intended to strengthen supervision and coordination of government activities and ensure greater transparency, accountability and proper implementation of development programmes.