A tree-planting and sapling distribution programme to be attended by the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives in Kaliganj, Gazipur, has been postponed following a controversy over the inclusion of a name on the invitation card.

The "tree-planting and sapling distribution programme" was to be held in Kaliganj on 19 June under the Department of Cooperatives. About five thousand saplings were to be distributed and trees planted, but the programme was postponed a day before it was due.

Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) ATM Kamrul Islam confirmed the postponement on 18 June.

A source involved in the organisation said extensive preparations had been made for the event at the "CCULB Resort" in Kaliganj. Members of various cooperative societies in Gazipur district had been instructed in advance to take part. After being told to collect the required number of saplings, various societies bought saplings on their own. Arrangements to host several thousand guests had also been almost completed.

The source claimed that the last-minute postponement could mean losses of several lakh taka for the organisers and others involved.

According to several responsible sources, discontent arose among BNP-leaning cooperative circles over the inclusion on the invitation of Augustine Purification, chairman of The Co-operative Credit Union League of Bangladesh (CCULB), who is known to be close to Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, home minister in the former Awami League government.

The sources said the decision to postpone the programme was taken after the matter came to the chief guest's attention. Hospitality had reportedly been arranged for about five thousand guests.

Gazipur district cooperative officer Arifa Sultana Shipa said: "I do not know whose name was on the invitation or why. The department informed me that Friday's programme has been postponed for unavoidable reasons."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.