Sylhet DC Sarwar Alam recalled Sent to ministry

Md Sarwar Alam, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate of Sylhet, has been recalled from his post and asked to report to the Ministry of Public Administration.

The order was issued on Sunday (21 June) through a directive signed by Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Jeti Pru.

The notification did not specify the reason for his recall, nor did it indicate who would replace him as Sylhet’s new DC.

The development has triggered widespread discussion, particularly as Sarwar Alam had recently come under the spotlight over initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency in the donation funds of the shrines of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran in Sylhet.

Confirming the recall, DC Sarwar Alam said he has been instructed to report to the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday.

State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari, however, described the move as routine. Speaking to the media on Sunday afternoon, he said the officer had been attached to the ministry for his next posting.

“Sarwar Alam has been attached to the Ministry of Public Administration for his next posting, after which a new assignment will be given,” he said.

Responding to speculation linking the recall to the shrine-related issue, the State Minister insisted it was part of normal administrative procedures.
“This is a normal process.

Transfer of government officials is a routine matter. People come and go – many are being transferred and more will be. This is an ongoing process, nothing exceptional,” he said.

He added that such transfers are standard practice and should not be viewed as unusual.

Although Sarwar Alam had initially received praise upon taking charge in Sylhet, he later faced criticism following steps taken to increase transparency in shrine-related donations.

His recent actions included sealing the donation degs (large cooking pots used for collecting offerings) at the Hazrat Shah Jalal (R) shrine and introducing donation boxes under district administration supervision.

Ansar personnel were deployed to guard the collection points, while CCTV cameras were installed by the DC’s office.

It is widely believed that the recall is linked to the controversy surrounding these measures, although officials have not confirmed any such connection.