Plundering in the name of poverty alleviation

An amount Tk 411 crore was given as loan to about 5 lakh clients of 291 upazilas for alleviating poverty by Palli Daridro Bimochon Foundation (PDBF).

But now half of the clients are loan defaulters. Most of them are not actual poor. In fact, loans were given to the persons who are relatives and close connected with local powerful, loan distributing field officers and higher officials.

This autonomous institution under Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry is claimed to be 100 percent successful and self-sufficient institution. 

Its prime duty is to make poor people self-sufficient providing them micro-credit but the scenario was found opposite in past three years. At about Tk 100 crore has been embezzled in the same period. 

Field officers had given crores of taka as loan using fake addresses. An internal audit of PDBF has found this corruption and plundering.

Financed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), PDBF started its journey in 2000. Both Bangladesh government and CIDA have already provided the institution with about Tk 100 crores. Government is giving more Tk 200 crores for expanding programes in new 100 upazilas.

There are 4000 employees involved in this institution, including permanent, temporary and project-based manpower.

Prothom Alo investigation found that managing director Md Mahbubur Rahman has been involved with various irregularities and autocratic attitudes. He alone holds three director posts including field operation, manpower and sun power project directors. 

He has got absolute power over distributing field level loan, recruitment, transfer and sacking manpower.

But Mahbubur Rahaman claimed that he is holding these posts due to shortage of competent people.