A recent audit by the budget inspection has uncovered that Bojana Đacić, the director of the Narodna biblioteka „Stevan Samardžić“ in Pljevlja, unlawfully received payments exceeding €13,000. The findings have prompted the union representing the library’s employees to call for her immediate dismissal, alongside that of the council president, Milutin Petrović. This situation has drawn significant attention, as it also involves allegations of illegal salary reductions for staff.
The union’s request stems from a detailed inspection report, which indicated serious violations in the operations of Đacić and the library’s administration. The report, referenced as UPIN 13-702/24-64, noted that from March to December 2024, Đacić was paid a total of €13,061.10 without a legal basis. Furthermore, it was revealed that the library failed to provide evidence of her employment during this period.
According to the union’s statement, the library did not issue any salary decisions for its employees, which is a requirement under the law governing salaries in the public sector. The statement further highlighted that during her tenure, Đacić did not have a valid employment contract until December 14, 2024, after the intervention of the inspection. This raises questions about how her rights and obligations were determined for the eight months leading up to that date.
Allegations of Salary Reductions and Future Legal Action
In addition to the unauthorized payments, the budget inspection also found that Đacić had unlawfully reduced the salaries of certain employees by 30 percent. These reductions were based on alleged “penalties,” which were reportedly extended without legal justification for four months and beyond.
To ensure transparency, the union has made the inspection report available to the public, emphasizing its commitment to accountability. They noted that a criminal complaint was submitted to the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Pljevlja at the end of 2024, but it was dismissed without clear information on any further investigations or expert assessments.
The union plans to submit new criminal complaints against Đacić, Petrović, former council president Nemanja Stanimirović, and the relevant secretary in the municipality, Sanja Đondović. These complaints will focus on the illegal salary calculations conducted during Đacić’s directorship and the unauthorized salary deductions imposed on employees.
Response from Director Đacić
In response to the allegations, Đacić expressed her intention to pursue legal action against the union, stating that their claims are untrue. During a telephone conversation with a local media outlet, she indicated her frustration with the ongoing accusations and warned that she would no longer respond to them publicly.
“It is not true, but I am tired of denying these allegations. I will only respond to their accusations with a lawsuit,” she stated. When pressed for clarification on her warning to the media, Đacić declined to engage further, emphasizing her dissatisfaction with the coverage.
The unfolding events surrounding the Narodna biblioteka „Stevan Samardžić“ illustrate the complexities of governance and accountability in public institutions, as the community watches closely for developments in this significant case.
