Md Delwar Hossain, Bauphal (Patuakhali)

Administrative activities and public service delivery have been severely disrupted in Bauphal upazila due to the prolonged absence of principal officers across eight vital government departments, leaving the offices to be run by acting officials and causing growing public suffering.

The affected offices lacking permanent heads include the Upazila Engineering Office (LGED), Upazila Health and Family Planning Office, Upazila Social Services Office, Upazila Secondary Education Office, Upazila Family Planning Office, Upazila Women Affairs Office, Upazila Statistics Office, and Upazila Forest Office. Additionally, locals reported that the Upazila Youth Development Officer is regularly absent, leaving Assistant Youth Development Officer Md. Hanif to handle duties in their absence.

Residents noted that many in-charge officers commute from neighboring upazilas just one or two days a week solely for emergencies, which halts regular services and leaves citizens struggling to receive timely assistance. The prolonged vacancies have significantly complicated routine office work, development project monitoring, and civic service delivery, prompting locals to demand the immediate appointment of permanent officers to restore normal operations.

Commenting on the situation, Bauphal UNO Md. Saleh Ahmed acknowledged that administrative operations face hurdles due to the vacancies in key departments.

He added that posting permanent officers to these positions will accelerate activities and ensure better public services, assuring that the matter will be brought to the attention of higher authorities.