Even devotees’ food not spared

Tens of thousands of Muslim devotees from home and abroad gather on the banks of the Turag every year for Bishwa Ijtema, the second largest Islamic congregation.

The devotees need food and water as they stay there for three straight days under tiny tents. The government spends a hefty amount to ensure all the arrangements are in place.

Accordingly, Gazipur City Corporation spent Tk 9.4 crore for the Bishwa Ijtema for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 fiscal years.

Of the amount, Tk 1.34 crore was set aside for repairing tube wells at the venue. And around Tk 24.33 lakh was earmarked for the food supplied by Abul Kashem Gong, a leasing company that got the tender.

GCC made the payment, but the food never came, according to the corporation's enquiry documents. It also did not find any voucher in support of the money being spent on food.

What is more surprising is that the tube wells that were repaired were not installed at the Bishwa Ijtema ground. They were instead placed in different areas under the city corporation's project.