Gross anomalies in test relief, food for work projects

Gross irregularities are evident in Dimla upazila in projects under Test Relief (TR), Food for Work (FW) and Taka for Work (TW), in the 2nd phase of general allotment for rural infrastructure renovation and maintenance programme in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

It is alleged that Nayema Tabassum, the upazila project implementation officer (PIO), illegally withdrew project money from local Sonali Bank branch on June 30 without completing 50% of the work or informing the project chairmen.

Sources said that around Tk 90 lakh was allocated against 69 projects under general allotment in the second phase.

According to departmental directives, 50% of the allocated money against each project should be utilised for infrastructure renovation or maintenance and the rest 50% to be utilised for buying and setting up solar panels on rooftops of selected infrastructures.

Visiting different projects today, this correspondent found that there were no solar panels on the roof of any infrastructure of the projects.

In Khagakharibari village, Tk 2.4 lakh was allocated under TR project to renovate the Shaheed Minar of Khagakharibari High School with 50% of the money and the rest 50% was to be used for buying solar panels for Borobari Puraton Jame Masjid. But no solar panel was seen there.

Project chairman Abul Kalam said the PIO gave him 50% of the money to do renovation work of the Shaheed Minar. He added that he didn't get the rest 50% to buy solar panels, though he heard that the PIO had withdrawn project money from the bank by forging the signature of the chairmen.

Tk 1 lakh was allocated against a project in Dakkhinkharibari Pondit Para Government Primary School beside Tepakharibari union parishad. Project chairman Ibrahim Ali said, "We proposed a project to construct an underground drain in the school ground, but the PIO rejected it and decided to set up two solar panels, one on the school roof and the other on the UP office for Tk 1 lakh, but I couldn't do so as no money was released in my favour."

Nazrul Islam, project chairman of Hazipara Dakhil Madrasa, said  Tk 90 thousand was allocated for maintenance work of the madrasa and setting up of a solar panel on the roof, but the PIO gave him only Tk 40 thousand for doing maintenance work. "I couldn't set up solar panel as I didn't get the rest of the money," he added.

Sadequl Islam, manager of Sonali Bank, Dimla branch, said the treasury forwarded the bills giving note of advice to pay in cash to the respective project chairmen.

"We paid the money to the PIO as bearer, and before the payment we asked her to attest the signatures of each of the project chairmen for the bank's safety, which she did," the manager said.

Rezaul Karim, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Dimla, said they are trying to find a solution as the agent of officially recommended Itkol Ltd, selected to supply solar panels, has not contacted the upazila rural infrastructure renovation and maintenance committee.

The PIO admitted withdrawing project money from bank and said she had kept the amount in another account and would release it to the project chairmen soon.

Some project chairmen, on condition of anonymity, alleged that the PIO is still maintaining intentional silence though it has been one month since the end of the fiscal year.

District relief and rehabilitation officer Tajul Islam said it is illegal to draw government money from a bank by submitting false statement of completion of the project and without taking the signatures of the project chairmen. "I'll investigate the matter if I get written complaint," he added.