Suspension of TTE withdrawn

The suspension order against Bangladesh Railway's travelling ticket examiner (TTE) Md Shafiqul Islam was withdrawn on Sunday following widespread criticism on the social media and protests from different quarters.
At the same time, the railway authorities have formed a three-member committee to inquire into the matter.
Meanwhile, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan said he was embarrassed over the suspension order issued against the TTE on the basis of the complaint filed by the minister's wife.
"Railway authorities should have consulted me before taking the action," the minister told the media at Rail Bhaban on Sunday.
He said that a show-cause notice was also served to the divisional commercial officer of Pakshey to explain the matter.
"A committee was also formed to investigate the whole incident," said the minister.
The minister said that he did not even know until Saturday that the complainants were his wife's relatives.
The minister, however, said that his wife did not ask the railway authorities to suspend the TTE.
"The way the incident unfolded is embarrassing for me," said the minister, asserting that his wife only lodged a complaint against the TTE but did not ask the authorities to suspend him (TTE).
Confirming the withdrawal of suspension, Shahidul Islam, divisional railway manager of Bangladesh Railway (Pakshey Zone), said, "Shafiqul Islam's suspension order has been withdrawn today (Sunday). He will be able to join work now."
In another development, the railways ministry has directed the authorities concerned of the Bangladesh Railway not to provide any illegal benefits asked for on trains, mentioning names of railway high-ups, and to take actions as per law against such persons.
The instructions were given in a letter signed by the railway minister's Private Secretary Mohammad Atiqur Rahman on Sunday.
Similar letters were sent four times in the past from the railways ministry, according to the ministry.
Recently, it has been observed again that by introducing themselves as relatives, family members, friends or acquaintances of the private secretary and assistant private secretary to the railways minister without their knowledge, some people demanded special facilities on trains and tickets at various railway stations, according to the letter.
In addition to this, many people using the reference of the minister's private secretary, assistant private secretary and private officials ask for illegal benefits and favours over the phone from various project directors of the Bangladesh Railway, the letter mentioned.
In such cases, instructions have been given to the officials and staff members concerned not to get confused and not to carry out any activities outside the official process.
Earlier, on Friday, TTE Shafiqul Islam of railway's Pakshey division in Pabna's Ishwardi upazila was suspended - a day after he fined three passengers travelling on the Dhaka-bound 'Sundarbans Express' without tickets. The three introduced themselves as railway minister's relatives.
Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in a statement has sought the railways minister's resignation.
Responding to the demand, the minister said, "TIB has issued the statement hastily and they did it without seeing that I was not involved."
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, a passengers' welfare platform, in a statement issued on Sunday also demanded resignation of the railways minister.
Regarding the suspension of the railway TTE, the statement questioned, "How was the TTE suspended? Who received and scrutinised the complaint and who approved it?"
It also called upon the government to take initiatives to stop alleged involvement of wives of some ministers in the affairs of the government ministries and divisions.
Despite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 'zero tolerance' against corruption, corruption and mismanagement are taking place in some ministries, added the statement signed by the platform's Secretary General Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com