Labourers promoted as sub-assistant engineers: ACC finds irregularities at Chattogram City Corporation

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said it uncovered evidence of irregularities in the promotion of workers to higher technical posts at the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), following an enforcement drive at the CCC headquarters.

The ACC launched the operation today (7 July) in response to complaints that several workers had been unlawfully promoted to positions such as sub-assistant engineer without following the necessary legal procedures or recruitment guidelines. 

During the operation, ACC officials met with the CCC's chief executive officer and secretary to present the allegations and review related documents.

Subel Ahmed, deputy director of ACC Chattogram District Integrated Office -1, confirmed that collected documents will be analysed thoroughly, and a detailed report will soon be submitted to the commission for further action.

Upon initial examination, the ACC team confirmed that four individuals — Md Rokonuzzaman, Rashid Ahmed, Zahedul Ahsan, and SM Rafiul Haque Moniri — had been directly appointed to sub-assistant engineer positions from the post of labourer, in clear violation of standard rules.

Records show that Md Rokonuzzaman was initially appointed as a labourer on a temporary basis through an office order dated 13 June 2023, and joined five days later. On the same day, he was assigned additional duties as a sub-assistant engineer. Rashid Ahmed followed a similar route, appointed as a labourer on 7 September 2023, and assigned to the engineering role later that month.

Zahedul Ahsan and SM Rafiul Haque Moniri were also found to have been promoted from labour positions to engineering posts in the same unlawful manner.

All four appointments were allegedly made without following legal recruitment procedures, competitive examinations, or formal promotions, and were instead executed through arbitrary and unauthorised decisions.

The ACC noted that such acts not only violated government employment regulations but also highlighted a broader pattern of administrative malpractice within the city corporation. These unauthorised promotions potentially undermine merit-based hiring and create risks of inefficiency in vital technical roles.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the ACC has requested further documentation from CCC, including a full list of temporary employees and those assigned additional responsibilities in higher-grade posts without proper authorisation.

If proven, the ACC may recommend departmental action and pursue legal measures against those responsible for the irregular appointments.