Staff shortage disrupts services at Raiganj Municipality

Citizen services at Raiganj Municipality in Sirajganj have been disrupted due to a shortage of officials, leaving residents struggling to obtain essential certificates and access other municipal services.

The key posts of administrator, executive officer and engineer have no permanent officials, while officials from other government departments are performing additional duties, according to local sources.

Residents said the shortage has caused delays in issuing citizenship and character certificates, creating difficulties for people who depend on the municipality for official documents.

“I have been visiting the municipality for several days to obtain a character certificate. But I have not received it because it has not been signed,” said resident Simanta Talukder.

Another resident, Rejuan Ahmed Sifat, said the municipality’s activities were moving slowly because there was no executive officer or engineer.

The administrative complications reportedly began after the activities of elected mayors and councillors were cancelled following the change of government on August 5, 2024. Since then, officials from various government departments have been handling additional responsibilities at the municipality.

Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Md Aminul Islam acknowledged the problem, saying the municipality’s activities had become stagnant due to the absence of regular officials.

“We will write to the Ministry of Local Government soon to request the appointment of permanent officials,” he said.

Raiganj Municipality was established in 2005, covering an area of 6.29 square kilometres. The ‘B’ category municipality has nine wards.