Allegations of widespread irregularities have surfaced at the Nilkhet Working Women's Hostel, including the allocation of hostel seats to students who are allegedly not employed.
Assistant Superintendent Shahana Khatun has reportedly been serving in the same position at the hostel for around 12 years. Residents and sources have alleged that various irregularities have persisted during her tenure.
According to the allegations, nearly 99 per cent of hostel seats are occupied by women who obtained accommodation using allegedly false documents. Sources claimed that only two genuine working women currently reside at the hostel, while most of the other residents are students.
When contacted about the allegations, Assistant Superintendent Shahana Khatun asked this reporter to meet her at her office. However, when the reporter visited the hostel, she reportedly did not meet them and kept the hostel door closed.
The hostel canteen has also reportedly been affected by irregularities. Sources alleged that bills have remained unpaid for months, resulting in inadequate food preparation and making it difficult for residents to obtain meals from the canteen.
Despite repeated requests for an investigation, no effective probe has reportedly been conducted. Sources further alleged that the growing influence of residents who are not actually working women has allowed irregularities to continue.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has reportedly been informed of the allegations several times, so far no effective resolution has yet been reached.
Meanwhile, residents have also complained about poor maintenance at the hostel. Water reportedly continues to leak from a water pump for hours at a time, but no effective action has been taken to repair the problem.
The allegations have raised questions about the monitoring and management of the hostel and prompted calls for a transparent investigation into seat allocation, hostel management, canteen operations and maintenance.
