Payment made,work yet to start

Payment to a company hired for installing solar systems in 243 different establishments of Rangpur was allegedly made before completion of the work in the 2015-16 FY.

Sources in the Project Implementation Officer's office said Abdul Aziz, Project Implementation Officer (PIO) of Kaunia upazila, disbursed the payment of Tk 71.65 lakh to the contracted company Rarimafrooz before the end of 2015-16 FY on June 30.

The funds for the project came from Test Relief and Food for Work programmes.

The company was to install solar power systems in 146 ultra poor homesteads of 6 unions, 9 educational institutions, 82 mosques and 6 temples in Kaunia upazila.

The work was to be completed before June 30 in the last fiscal year, but it is yet to be started, though another fiscal year has begun, said the sources.

The PIO disbursed the payment allegedly showing 100% completion of the work, though the rule is that payment cannot be disbursed until completion of the work.

Abdul Aziz said he disbursed the payment as there was some problem, but he declined to elaborate the statement.

The payment was deposited in the bank on June 30 in consultation with Kaunia upazila administration. The contracted company was urged to complete the work within August 30, otherwise it would be bound to refund the payment.

 Nadim Iqbal, area manager of Rahimafrooz in Rangpur, said they could not start the work on time, and there were several reminders from the PIO to start the work.

Sources said some dishonest officials and ruling party men have been trying to embezzle the fund, but they can't as the company is not giving any money to anybody.

Abdul Hannan, secretary of Kaunia upazila AL, said the allegation of embezzlement is not true.

Syed Forhat Hossain, UNO of Kaunia, said his office, in consultation with Deputy Commissioner Rahat Anwar, tried to complete the work as early as possible.