Despite serious allegations involving the alleged misappropriation of relief biscuits intended for flood victims and irregularities concerning large quantities of fuel allocated for a specialized Fire Service vessel, Md. Mizanur Rahman has reportedly been appointed to the highly sensitive post of Deputy Director (Administration and Finance) at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate. The appointment, made without any publicly disclosed departmental investigation or disciplinary action, has reportedly raised questions and concern among officials and employees of the organization.
The allegations against Mizanur Rahman date back to his tenure as Deputy Director in Barishal, where he reportedly faced several complaints involving alleged irregularities and financial misconduct. One of the major allegations concerns the fuel allocated for the Fire Service's specialized vessel, Agni Joddha. According to the complainants, thousands of litres of fuel intended for the operation and maintenance of the vessel were allegedly diverted and sold on the black market.
However, no comprehensive investigation report or information regarding any disciplinary action against the official in connection with the allegation has been made publicly available.
Another allegation that reportedly generated significant controversy involved relief biscuits allocated for people affected by severe flooding. During the early period of the interim government, when several parts of the country were hit by devastating floods, relief supplies were allocated for distribution among affected communities. According to people familiar with the matter, allegations were raised that a portion of the relief biscuits kept in Barishal was misappropriated.
The complainants further claim that an operation conducted by the Bangladesh Army at the time uncovered preliminary evidence of irregularities relating to the relief biscuits. The incident reportedly caused considerable dissatisfaction among officials and employees working at the field level.
If substantiated, the allegations would go beyond routine administrative irregularities and raise serious questions concerning the management of government resources, distribution of humanitarian assistance and financial discipline within the Fire Service. Allegations involving relief supplies intended for disaster victims are particularly sensitive because such resources are meant to reach people in urgent need.
Against this backdrop, questions have been raised over why no publicly disclosed, impartial investigation was conducted to establish the facts before Mizanur Rahman was assigned to a key position at the Directorate's headquarters in Dhaka.
The post of Deputy Director (Administration and Finance) is considered important because it is associated with administrative affairs, personnel management, financial matters and other core functions of the Directorate. Consequently, officials and observers have questioned whether the allegations raised during his tenure in Barishal were properly reviewed before his appointment to the new position.
Several officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly expressed concern that appointing an official facing serious allegations to a sensitive position without a visible investigation could have a negative impact on institutional accountability and employee morale. According to them, if the allegations are substantiated, appropriate action should be taken in accordance with the law and departmental rules. Conversely, if the allegations are unfounded, a transparent investigation should establish that as well.
There has also been discussion within the organization about whether any special influence or administrative recommendation played a role in Mizanur Rahman's appointment to the important position. These claims, however, could not be independently verified. Likewise, allegations that Director General Brigadier General Zayed Kamal influenced or facilitated the appointment have not been substantiated by publicly available evidence.
The allegations therefore remain allegations unless and until they are established through an appropriate investigation or legal process.
Attempts were made to contact Md. Mizanur Rahman for his response to the allegations, but no comment was received. Efforts were also made to obtain a response from senior officials of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate. No response was available at the time of publication.
Those concerned with the matter have called for a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation to determine whether the allegations are substantiated. They have also urged the authorities to examine the relevant records concerning the allocation and use of the fuel and relief supplies, as well as the administrative basis for Mizanur Rahman's appointment.
A transparent investigation would not only establish accountability if wrongdoing is proven but would also provide an opportunity to clear the official's name if the allegations are found to be baseless. Such a process, observers say, is essential to maintaining public confidence in the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate and ensuring that government resources intended for emergency response and humanitarian assistance are properly managed.
The controversy surrounding Mizanur Rahman's appointment is therefore likely to persist unless the allegations are addressed through a credible and transparent process. Stakeholders are calling for the relevant documents and records to be examined, the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities to be established, and the reasons behind his appointment to the sensitive administrative and financial position to be made clear.