<i>Glaring graft</i>
In an LGED project to build 25 union parishad buildings, 12 have not been constructed but Tk 3.62 crore meant for them has been embezzled.
An inspection report by Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) reveals the corruption in the project under Local Government Engineering Department.
The report was presented at a meeting of Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was presiding over the meeting, expressed shock at the extent of corruption.
She directed the officials concerned to submit within a month a detailed report identifying the persons involved.
Mentioning Bangla proverb 'Pukur Churi' (stealing a pond), she said it seems they have stolen a dozen buildings.
IMED is a government organisation mandated to monitor and evaluate public sector development projects under the Annual Development Programme.
In its report on the LGED project, it said though only 13 buildings have been built, expenditure has been shown for 25 buildings.
LGED also did not inform it if Tk 1.30 crore unspent project funds have been returned to the government exchequer.
The project, which started in 2002 and ended in 2009, was undertaken for construction of 25 union parishad buildings and some other infrastructure work in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Manikganj districts.
Comments