FWP in Natore
Machine elbows out labourers
Earth cutting work for construction of a road under Food For Work Programme (FWP) in Tebaria Union under Natore Sadar upazila is being done, using a machine instead of employing local labourers for the purpose.
This hampers the aim of the project- employment for ultra-poor people during the rainy season.
Upazila parishad sources said eight tonnes of wheat have been allocated for construction of a 3,000 feet road from Koigari Krishnapur Uttar para Gedar More to Krishnapur Primary School.
About 20 to 30 labourers had been doing the work since May 27 at Tk 150 per day each. But union parishad member Mojir Uddin, also the chairman of the project, on Friday stopped employing local labourers for the work and started earth cutting by using a machine.
The project chief's decision is contrary to the government initiative to provide employment for the ultra-poor.
Day labourer Aslam of Koigari Krishnapur village said he had worked in the project for nine days and he could work for seven more days. "The UP member deprived me of the opportunity," he said.
Project chairman Mojir Uddin said eight tonnes of wheat are not sufficient for construction of a 3,000 feet road. He said he is using the machine instead of local labourers for ensuring quality work.
Tebaria UP Chairman Omar Faruque told this correspondent that he asked UP member Mojir Uddin to engage local labourers for cutting earth.
While visiting the spot on Saturday, the correspondent found that the machine was being used for cutting earth.
Contacted, Natore Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khalilur Rahman said he has directed the upazila project officer to take immediate action in this regard.
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