12-member committee formed to ensure transparency at Hazrat Shahjalal shrine in Sylhet

Sylhet Office : A 12-member committee, led by Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, has been formed to ensure transparency in the income and expenditure of the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) in Sylhet.

The decision was taken at a meeting on the management and development of the shrine, held at the Sylhet Circuit House this morning (26 June).

The committee will determine a “reasonable system” for the shrine’s financial management within one month.

The meeting, chaired by the minister, took place amid discussions and criticism over the locking of the shrine’s donation boxes.

During the meeting, participants agreed to take coordinated steps to ensure transparency in the management of donation funds and the shrine’s overall development.

Speaking afterwards, Muktadir announced the formation of the committee and said a framework has been prepared.

He said all stakeholders discussed the shrine’s development, donation management and overall activities and reached a consensus on ensuring financial transparency.

The shrine authorities also agreed with the initiative, he added.

According to the minister, the committee will determine the future course of action within one month based on the views of all parties.

He added that maintaining transparency throughout the process is the main objective.

Until then, the existing committee will continue counting donations according to the rules, and the money will be deposited into the existing bank account, he added.

Responding to a question about initiatives taken by outgoing deputy commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, Muktadir said he does not want to discuss past events and wants to move forward.

He said one approach is to work alone, while another is to work together with all stakeholders to ensure participation and avoid negative reactions.

The current initiative, he said, will ensure both transparency and participation.

The closed-door meeting at the Circuit House also discussed the shrine’s heritage, management system and ways to make its development activities more effective and acceptable. Politicians, government officials, public representatives, shrine authorities and others attended the meeting.

Earlier, on 12 June, then-DC Sarwar Alam visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) and announced measures to ensure transparency and accountability in financial management.

As part of that initiative, four new donation boxes were installed on 18 June, while three historic donation cauldrons and one donation box were sealed.

The move sparked mixed reactions. While some welcomed the initiative, others criticised the installation of donation boxes under the administration’s management.

Amid the controversy, the Ministry of Public Administration withdrew Sarwar on Sunday.

The following day, the sealed donation boxes and cauldrons were reopened on his instructions.

After the money was counted, officials said Tk1,765,549 in cash, seven annas of gold ornaments and 10 Saudi riyals were found in eight donation cauldrons and boxes.