Mijan Akanda, Phulpur: Abdus Salam, acting upazila family planning officer in Phulpur, Mymensingh, has faced a series of allegations, including abuse of power, corruption, irregularities and arbitrary conduct, after reportedly remaining at the same workplace for six years.

According to local residents, Salam joined Phulpur in 2021 as an assistant upazila family planning officer during the tenure of the now-banned Awami League government. He was assigned additional responsibilities as acting upazila family planning officer in 2022.

Locals alleged that Salam, who reportedly travels to his workplace from Netrokona, attends the office only two or three days a week. Even on the days he is present, they claimed, he is often unavailable during office hours.

They further alleged that his prolonged stay at the same posting had encouraged arbitrary conduct. Despite holding the position in an acting capacity, he has reportedly omitted the word “acting” from the nameplate outside his office.

An employee of the upazila family planning department, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that although annual allocations are made for purchasing and repairing office furniture, no such purchases or repairs had been carried out under Salam`s supervision. However, bills for these purposes were allegedly withdrawn regularly.

The employee also alleged that Salam had withdrawn travel and daily allowances (TA/DA) on several occasions without visiting union-level health and family welfare centres.

The allegations against Salam reportedly date back to his previous posting in Kendua, Netrokona, where he served as an assistant in the upazila family planning office. According to sources, he faced protests, including a broom procession and a human chain, over alleged financial irregularities. Later, following written complaints from 76 employees, he was transferred to Haluaghat in Mymensingh as a punitive measure, the sources claimed.

They further alleged that he subsequently secured a transfer to Purbadhala in Netrokona before joining Phulpur.

Sources also claimed that more than 10 family welfare assistants working in different unions had voluntarily left their jobs because of Salam`s reportedly harsh and abrasive behaviour. This, they alleged, had severely disrupted service delivery across the department.

Questions were also raised over the selection of outstanding performers for World Population Day 2026. According to the allegations, an individual who did not reside in the relevant area was selected as an outstanding worker.

Residents further alleged that irregularities and inefficiency had affected services at union health and family welfare centres, depriving people of institutional delivery services.

However, Salam denied all the allegations against him.

“There is a conspiracy against me. I am not involved in any irregularities or corruption. Allah will judge those spreading these false allegations,” he said.