PIO allegedly embezzlled project money without doing work in Subarnachar
Subarnachar (Noakhali) Correspondent
The government took up TR, Kabikha and Kabita projects for employment of the poor and rural development but in Subarnachar, these projects have turned into a mine of loot.
There have been allegations that Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Farhad Hossain and those concerned have distributed crores of taka allocation without doing any work.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, about 2.5 crore taka in cash and 180 metric tons of food grains were allocated under these programs in Subarnachar. But no work has been done in most of the projects. In some cases, bills have been raised by showing nominal work, while in others, the entire allocation has been embezzled, locals allege.
Some UP chairmen, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the PIO deducts at least 25-50 percent from the allocation for each project. There are also allegations of embezzling the entire amount in some projects.
On-site investigation revealed that the allocation for plastering the walls of Haji Nazir Ahmed Jame Mosque in Charbata Union was 350,000 taka, but the mosque committee said they did not receive any government assistance. Although the same amount was allocated for the Maulvi Sharafat Ullah Jame Mosque in the same union, only 150,000 taka was received.
The Islampur Jama Masjid in Charklar Union was allocated 260,000 taka for its renovation, but the work has not yet begun. The road on the south side of Islampur Market was allocated 244,000 taka, but no renovations have been made there in the last four years.
The allocation for the renovation of the Cookies Market Talimul Quran Madrasa in Char Amanullah Union was 2 lakh taka. But the madrasa head said he was not aware of any allocation. The same is true for the Char Hasan Mother and Child Welfare Center in Char Jabbar Union, although 3 lakh 70 thousand taka was allocated, the officials in charge are not aware of this.
The allocation for filling the field of Aliullah Government Primary School in Charjubli Union was 2 lakh taka. But only 40-50 thousand taka was done, the headmaster alleged, and the rest of the money was embezzled. The headmaster of Subarnachar Sadar Private Primary School in the same union said that they have not received any allocation even in the past few years, even though 2.5 lakh taka is shown in their name in the list.
Meanwhile, no project list was found on the website of the Upazila Project Implementation Officer's office. No signboards were installed anywhere. Locals complained that when asked for the list of projects, the PIO avoided them on various pretexts.
The common people of Subarnachar said that they thought that looting would stop after the change of government. But corruption continues as before. They are extremely angry because the money allocated for projects for the poorest of the poor has been embezzled.
However, Upazila Project Implementation Officer Farhad Hossain denied the allegations and said that all the work was completed before June 30 and the money has been paid to the chairmen of the project implementation committee.
UNO Rabeya Asfar Saima said, these projects are implemented by the Community Project Committee. If a complaint is received, action will be taken after investigation. If evidence is found, strict steps will be taken to recover the money.
