RUCSU Says Financial Reports Published Based on Partial Information

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) has claimed that reports about its financial activities are being published based on partial and incomplete information, creating confusion before the end of its current term and the completion of a government audit.

RUCSU made the claim in a statement sent to the media on Thursday, following reports about its expenditure that sparked discussion and criticism on campus.

RUCSU explains its financial position

According to the statement, RUCSU formed an investigation committee after taking office to review its financial activities. Based on the committee’s findings, it decided to keep Tk 2 crore of its approximately Tk 3.70 crore fund in fixed deposits (FDRs) and spend the remaining Tk 1.70 crore on student welfare activities during the current term.

RUCSU said the full accounts of these expenditures would be reviewed through a government audit after the financial year ends. Therefore, the information currently being published represents only part of the overall expenditure.

The union also said around two months remain in its current term, while several student welfare programmes are still ongoing. As a result, all bills and vouchers have not yet been finalised.

Disputed expenditure report

A recent media report stated that Tk 1 crore 29 lakh 14 thousand 689 had been allocated for 42 RUCSU programmes during the current term. It reported that bills or vouchers for Tk 61 lakh 50 thousand 468 had not been submitted.

The report also said General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar had withdrawn Tk 23.88 lakh, with vouchers for Tk 18.39 lakh reportedly missing.

GS faces criticism over remarks

Following publication of the report, RUCSU General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar faced criticism for making offensive remarks about journalists on his Facebook page and in interviews with local media.

In one interview, Ammar questioned the accuracy of the report and said the journalist should be taken to the treasurer’s office to compare the reported figures with the actual records. In another interview, however, he acknowledged that some vouchers had not yet been submitted.

He also shared a report on Facebook and made derogatory remarks about journalists. In a subsequent post, he claimed that the vice-president, general secretary, assistant general secretary and other secretaries would face an audit after the RUCSU term ends and would have to provide their accounts publicly.

Ammar’s remarks have also drawn criticism on campus. However, RUCSU did not comment on the general secretary’s statements in its official response.