Panchagarh in turmoil over allegations of irregularities in annual allowances for cultural workers and artists

In Tentulia Upazila of Panchagarh, there have been allegations of widespread irregularities and nepotism in the provision of annual welfare grants to destitute and indigent cultural workers and artists. Although the government provides this financial assistance to artists every year through the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Shilpakala Academy, several artists who regularly receive allowances in the current fiscal year have expressed anger that they have not received their due money.

According to the information provided by the victims, according to the rules set by the government in the 2025-26 fiscal year, a destitute artist is supposed to receive 16,800 taka every 12 months (at the rate of 15/16 hundred taka per month). However, even after the fiscal year has passed, several elderly and destitute artists listed in Tentulia have been deprived of their allowances. Tirnoihat Union's rural devotional Baul artist Khademul Islam, flute player Babul Akhter and playwright Fazlul Haque Babul said that four out of 14 regular beneficiaries have died. Although some of the rest have been given checks, 3 to 4 have not received any allowance yet.

It has been alleged that a local gang has taken bribes of 1,500 to 5,000 taka from artists by promising to arrange allowances. Many senior artists have expressed disappointment after not receiving allowances even after paying the money. Several victims, including Baul artist Akhtaruzzaman Babu, said that they are not getting any redress despite visiting various government offices in the hope of grants.

When contacted, Panchagarh District Cultural and Arts Officer Syed Zakir Hossain said, "Due to the sudden implementation of the decision, everyone was asked to fill out and submit new forms. Due to lack of time, it was not possible to inform all the old regular beneficiaries. Only those who submitted the forms have been allocated allowances."

Meanwhile, when an attempt was made to contact Tentulia's additional in-charge Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Fahmida Sultana on her mobile phone on Sunday (July 26) afternoon to get her reaction on the irregularities, she could not be reached. Local cultural workers have strongly demanded a proper investigation into the incident and payment of the outstanding allowances to the truly insolvent artists.