Questions are mounting over the administrative operations of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) following serious allegations surrounding a Grade-9 non-cadre official. Assistant Network Engineer Jonaed Siddique, who joined the department in 2022 alongside roughly 64 other officers, has reportedly been assigned to the central headquarters in Dhaka for over four years. During this brief tenure, he has undertaken as many as eight overseas trips to destinations including China, South Korea, Dubai, Istanbul, and Singapore, sparking deep resentment among senior colleagues.
Crucially, allegations indicate that Siddique has been serving within the administration branch—a role not provided for his post under the official organogram. Sources claim he exercised significant administrative influence while acting as the Personal Assistant to the Director General. In this capacity, he reportedly influenced staff transfers, vehicle allocations, the assignment of Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) duties, and multi-million-taka event management tenders.
The controversy coincides with official audit queries regarding procurement practices within the department. Audit Memo No. 13, issued on 5 April 2026 by the PTST Audit Directorate, raised formal objections over financial discrepancies during the 2024–25 fiscal year. Records show that a contract worth 5,481,550 BDT was signed on 15 January 2025 with Conference & Exhibition Management Services Limited (CEMS) for physical services during the 26th International Robot Olympiad. Following an adjusted bill submitted by the firm, 5,014,550 BDT was disbursed via a voucher dated 22 June 2025.
However, auditors flagged 130,000 BDT categorised under “Miscellaneous and Incidental Cost”. According to contract terms, expenditure under this heading required specific prior authorisation from higher authorities. The audit team found no supporting documentation, formal approvals, or proof of service delivery for this amount, citing a direct financial loss to the state exchequer.
Beyond the audit findings, Siddique’s foreign travel has drawn sharp criticism. Departmental records suggest that at least 70 higher-graded officials have never received an opportunity for overseas training or official visits, whilst Siddique secured eight trips in four years. Critics allege that his position in the administration branch allowed him to bypass seniority protocols, draft file notes favouring junior officers for acting roles in vacant district posts, and suppress complaints submitted from field-level offices.
While independent investigations are required to establish individual liability regarding the contract irregularities and placement allegations, the convergence of official audit objections and complaints highlights an urgent need for transparency. Stakeholders are now calling for a comprehensive departmental inquiry into the official Government Orders (GOs), funding sources for the overseas trips, and the legal framework governing Siddique’s administrative posting.
