Liberation War Affairs Secy Masud Siddiqui made OSD

The Secretary of liberation war affairs ministry, KH Masud Siddiqui, has been made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at public administration ministry. The move comes after allegations that gold crests on Liberation War medals, which were awarded to foreigners for their contribution during Bangladesh’s Liberation War, had less than standard-quantity of the precious metal. Siddiqui was supposed to go on Post Retirement Leave (PRL) from October 30. Nearly 250 foreign nationals were awarded gold crests, shawls and certificates in seven phases last year for their contribution to Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. A national daily in a report on April 6 said the crests had less than the standard quantity of gold. It also said reports by the Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute showed that brass, copper and zinc alloy were used instead of silver. Environment and forest ministry’s Additional Secretary MA Hannan has been Secretary in-charge of the liberation war affairs ministry, according top bdnews24.com.