State Minister Lincoln Accused of Grabbing Nearly 7,000 Grant Forms for Mosques, Madrasas, Graveyards, Temples and the Underprivileged

Religious Affairs State Minister Shamim Kaisar Lincoln has been accused of taking around 7,000 application forms issued by the Religious Affairs Ministry for government grants to mosques, madrasas, cemeteries, temples and underprivileged people into his personal custody.

According to ministry sources, the state minister had previously collected 363 grant application forms under different categories. He allegedly took another 7,000 forms covering all categories on Wednesday. The allegations state that the forms were removed from the ministry’s designated official custody and placed under the state minister’s personal control. Relevant ministry officials said government application forms could not be kept in the personal custody of any individual.

The incident has caused widespread dissatisfaction among ministry officials. Many members of parliament have yet to receive grant application forms for mosques, madrasas, cemeteries, temples and disadvantaged people in their respective constituencies.

Officials and employees of the Religious Affairs Ministry, the Islamic Foundation and other government departments, as well as many law enforcement personnel stationed at the Secretariat, have reportedly visited the ministry seeking the forms but have not received them.

Ministry sources said Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad and Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad were in Saudi Arabia to sign the bilateral Hajj agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. Taking advantage of their absence, State Minister Shamim Kaisar Lincoln allegedly collected the 7,000 grant forms from Acting Secretary Kamruzzaman on Wednesday in haste.

The alleged removal of application forms for an important government grant programme has triggered questions and discussions among ministry officials and employees. Abu Taher Mia, assistant secretary of the ministry’s grant section, told The Daily Inqilab on Wednesday night that government grant application forms for mosques, madrasas, temples and underprivileged people had traditionally been kept under the direct supervision of the religious affairs secretary.

He said the religious affairs minister and secretary distributed the forms among members of parliament and the public whenever necessary. Responding to a question, he said, “If the state minister took 7,000 grant forms yesterday, it was not in accordance with the rules. There has never been such an incident at the Religious Affairs Ministry.”

Asked whether State Minister Mr. Lincoln’s collection of 7,000 grant forms from the secretary’s office was in accordance with the rules, Acting Religious Affairs Secretary Kamruzzaman told The Daily Inqilab on Wednesday night that the matter was an official one.

He said, “I cannot say whether taking 7,000 forms was in accordance with the rules. However, I cannot confirm this matter to you.” Repeated attempts to contact State Minister Shamim Kaisar Lincoln by phone on Wednesday night were unsuccessful.