Tk6.15m unaccounted for in RUCSU funds under Shibir-controlled panel

Around Tk6.15 million in expenses remain unaccounted for in the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) despite more than Tk10 million being allocated from the union's funds, according to documents reviewed by the RUCSU treasurer's office.

Under the rules, representatives who receive budgets for programmes are required to submit bills and vouchers after the expenditure so that the funds can be reconciled.

However, several members of the current RUCSU council have allegedly failed to submit the required documents for an extended period, leaving a substantial portion of the union's funds unadjusted.

According to records from the treasurer's office, a total of Tk12.914 million was allocated for 42 programmes, of which Tk6.150 million remains without supporting accounts or vouchers.

At the top of the list is General Secretary (GS) Salahuddin Ammar, who withdrew Tk2.388 million but has yet to account for Tk1.839 million. Vice-President (VP) Mostakur Rahman Zahid is next, having withdrawn Tk1.340 million but failing to submit expenditure documents for Tk1.240 million.

The list also includes the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) and six other secretaries, bringing the total number of representatives with outstanding accounts to eight.

An investigation found that three of the 42 programmes for which vouchers have not been submitted are still ongoing.

The remaining programmes were completed between one week and several months ago. The records also show Tk350,000 listed as official expenses for the RUCSU vice-president.

GS says some amounts are being shown as pending incorrectly
RUCSU GS Salahuddin Ammar disputed parts of the records.
He said five of the union's six secretaries had already submitted their vouchers.

According to him, an outstanding voucher worth Tk85,000 from the Science and Technology Secretary had resulted in the entire Tk1.377 million being shown as pending.

Ammar also said vouchers worth Tk300,000 for the Senate and Hall Representatives' Conference and Tk320,000 for hospitality had already been submitted.

Regarding Tk302,000 allocated for a booth during the university admission tests, he said the money had been provided by the university administration rather than the RUCSU fund.

He claimed the matter remained unresolved because of a disagreement between the administration and RUCSU over around Tk45,000–46,000 in VAT.
"I have submitted all the vouchers that came to me, and every withdrawal required approval from the vice-chancellor and the relevant offices," he said, adding that showing the entire amount as pending was misleading.

Records show that VP Mostakur Rahman Zahid received Tk1.340 million in six instalments. He submitted only a Tk99,924 voucher for an Eid-ul-Adha programme, leaving Tk1.240 million without supporting documents.

The amount includes Tk150,000 withdrawn on 13 April as official expenses. Without submitting an account for that amount, he withdrew another Tk200,000 for official expenses on 19 July.

He also has no vouchers on record for Tk382,400 allocated on 3 August for a FIFA World Cup football screening programme, Tk300,000 for the "Victory Run with RUCSU" programme on the same day, and Tk208,000 allocated on 6 August for establishing the July Museum.

Attempts were made several times to contact Zahid by phone for his comments, but he did not answer the calls.

After GS Ammar, Sports Secretary Mst Nargis Khatun, the only representative elected from the Chhatra Dal-backed panel, received the largest amount.

She withdrew Tk1.571 million in seven instalments, of which vouchers for Tk1.397 million remain outstanding.

Nargis said Tk1.272 million was withdrawn in two instalments for RUCSU Games, but the events were still underway, with six competitions having started last month. She therefore said the bills had not yet been submitted.

Debate and Literature Secretary Imran Laskar withdrew Tk842,765 in six instalments. Although he submitted vouchers for two transactions, expenditure documents for Tk692,000 remain outstanding.

Culture Secretary Zahid Hossain Zoha received Tk795,000 in three instalments, including Tk465,000 for celebrations marking the July uprising, for which no voucher has been submitted.

Information and Research Secretary B. M. Nazmul Sakib withdrew Tk396,000 in three instalments. No account has been submitted for Tk310,000 allocated on 6 August for a workshop related to his portfolio.

Media and Publications Secretary Mujahid Islam withdrew Tk154,448 in three instalments, but has not submitted a voucher for Tk100,000 allocated for publications on 6 August.

Women's Affairs Secretary Sayeda Hafsa received Tk188,276 in two instalments and has not submitted an account for Tk135,500 spent on a women's entrepreneurship fair held in May.

Science and Technology Secretary Tofail Ahmed Tofa received Tk87,500 in two instalments, including Tk37,500 for attending an education seminar in Nepal on 1 July, for which no account has been submitted.

Environment and Social Welfare Secretary Abdullah Al Masud withdrew Tk82,000 on 26 July without specifying an expenditure head, and no account has been submitted.

AGS S. M. Salman Sabbir received Tk60,000 for official expenses on 5 March but has not submitted an account.

The records also show that Tk123,750 was withdrawn for a computer set and printer, although it could not be established who received the money. No account has been submitted for the amount either.

RUCSU Treasurer Professor Setaur Rahman said vouchers should be submitted immediately after the completion of any programme.
"Some RUCSU bills and vouchers have not yet been submitted. We have asked them to submit the documents in accordance with the proper procedure," he said.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam said the matter had come to his attention.

"According to university rules, before receiving a new allocation or budget, vouchers for previously received funds must be submitted and the accounts reconciled," he said.

The vice-chancellor said he had previously instructed the RUCSU treasurer to ensure that outstanding accounts were reconciled quickly.

"A substantial amount of money has remained unadjusted in this manner for a long time," he said, adding that he was currently in Dhaka on institutional business and would strengthen monitoring through the RUCSU treasurer after returning to Rajshahi.

He also acknowledged that, although the treasurer has the primary responsibility for financial accounts, he too has a duty to monitor the matter as president of RUCSU.

The RUCSU election was held on 16 October last year, with candidates backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir winning 20 of the 23 central council positions. Candidates from other panels won the posts of General Secretary, Sports Secretary and Science and Technology Secretary.