Disregard for deadlines

These projects were scheduled to be completed by June 2021. But 55 of those are yet to begin. The estimated cost of these projects is around Tk 55 lakh.

Works of 55 government projects on rural development in Kurigram are yet to start even though the implement deadline expired around a year ago.

In 2020-2021 fiscal year, the government undertook a total of 222 projects for improving rural infrastructure in three unions of Rajibpur upazila.

Around Tk 2.50 crore was allocated for implementing the projects and the upazila project implementation officer (PIO) was authorised to supervise the works, said officials concerned.

These projects were scheduled to be completed by June 2021. But 55 of those are yet to begin. The estimated cost of these projects is around Tk 55 lakh, said sources at the office of upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).

Normally, the PIO forms a committee by engaging community people to implement such projects. One person is made president of the committee.

The officer hands over some money to the committee after it starts the project, and the rest is paid at the end.

On August last year, Rajibpur UNO Nabirul Islam conducted a field survey and found that works of the 55 projects on road construction or repair did not begin.

He then took initiative to take legal actions against those who delayed the projects. But the UNO was transferred to another upazila in September last year, said sources.

Locals said presidents of the project committees, who are involved with the ruling party, might have played a role in transferring the UNO.

"We have heard that a project has been undertaken to repair a road in our village. But no work has been done till now," said Ramzan Ali from the upazila's Baulpara.

Chiefs of several committees said they started the respective projects but were not given the money. Besides, rain and flood caused the delay.

Denying the claim, Rajibpur PIO Azizur Rahman said the committee leaders appealed for funding. "But when we found that they didn't start the works, we didn't give them the fund."

He said the projects would be rescheduled so that they can be implemented in the next fiscal year.

Contacted, Rajibpur incumbent UNO Amit Chakrabarty said he is not aware of the matter.