Severe corruption allegations have emerged against Dr. Barnabas Hasdak, the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer of Tanore, Rajshahi. The charges include hiring personal favorites through outsourcing, black-marketing government medicines, taking commissions from private diagnostic centers, trading medical certificates, and embezzling funds allocated for ambulance maintenance, fuel, and patient meals. By forming a personal syndicate, he has allegedly looted significant amounts of public money.
Key Corruption Allegations
Irregularities in e-GP Tenders: Since joining in May 2021, Dr. Barnabas oversaw six procurement processes for medicines and surgical equipment. Allegedly violating official regulations, he leaked confidential floor rates to favored contractors—Babul ('Tanvir Enterprise') and Shafiqul ('Shafiqul Haq Enterprise')—ensuring they won multi-million Taka tenders over lowest bidders.
Misappropriation of Patient Meal Funds: For the past two fiscal years, patient food supply was funneled through 'M/s Sarkar Enterprise,' owned by Tareq Sarkar, former president of Tanore Pourashava Awami League. Despite a daily allocation of BDT 175 per patient, sub-standard food was served, allowing large sums to be pocketed.
Ambulance Maintenance and Fuel Fraud: BDT 200,000 was spent against an annual maintenance budget of BDT 100,000. Fake repairs were documented with the help of former driver Abdus Salam. While an audit confirmed the fraud and transferred the driver, Dr. Barnabas faced no penalty.
Black-Marketing of Government Medicines: Free medicines meant for poor patients were routinely diverted and sold to pharmacies in neighboring Upazilas (Manda, Niamatpur, and Mahadevpur) through associates named Mahabub and Suman.
Diagnostic Commission & Medical Certificate Racket: Patients were directed to a nearby private center ('Sefa Diagnostic') for tests to earn commissions. Furthermore, Dr. Barnabas allegedly demanded bribes—such as BDT 10,000 in one documented case—for issuing official medical certificates required for police cases.
Illegal Occupancy & Misuse of Assets: He has personally cultivated fish in the health center’s 2.5-bigha pond for six years without floating a public lease. Additionally, despite living in the government quarter since 2021, housing rent has not been deducted from his salary.
Delayed Investigation and Protection Allegations
Following a written complaint submitted on June 22 by former local BNP and Chhatra Dal leaders to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), a three-member probe committee was formed on August 24, headed by Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Dr. S.I.M. Rajiul Karim.
The committee was instructed to submit its report within 15 working days. However, more than 18 working days have elapsed with no tangible progress. Complainants allege that Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajiul Karim is deliberately employing delay tactics to shield Dr. Barnabas from accountability.
Statements from Involved Parties
Complainant's Statement: Former Tanore Upazila Chhatra Dal President Abdul Malek Mondal stated that poor patients are being deprived of basic healthcare due to pervasive corruption. He noted that the Civil Surgeon scheduled an on-site inspection for September 16 but failed to appear.
Dr. Barnabas Hasdak's Response: Denying all allegations, Dr. Barnabas claimed that tender decisions were made strictly by the committee. He declined to comment on the ambulance, pond lease, or certificate trading allegations, stating that formal applications must be made to request official information.
Civil Surgeon's Response: Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Dr. S.I.M. Rajiul Karim refuted claims of protecting Dr. Hasdak, explaining that official busyness prevented him from visiting the site on September 16. He added that he would apply for an extension to complete a fair investigation.