Md Russel Miah, Amtali (Barguna) Correspondent

Barguna's Amtoli Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Muhammad Zafar Arif Chowdhury has returned the unspent Tk 37 lakh 50 thousand 540 allocated for the canal excavation work under the employment program for the extremely poor to the government treasury. He has received local praise for this initiative to save and properly use government funds.

According to relevant sources, a total of 1 crore 28 lakh 82 thousand 837 taka was allocated for digging two canals in Amtoli Upazila under the employment program for the extremely poor. Of this, 77 lakh 28 thousand 842 taka was allocated for digging three kilometers of the West Kewabunia Canal in Kukua Union and 51 lakh 53 thousand 995 taka was allocated for digging two kilometers of the Pashurbunia Canal in Haldia Union.

397 extremely poor workers worked on these two canal excavation projects. After the excavation work was completed under the supervision of UNO Muhammad Zafar Arif Chowdhury, various species of trees were also planted on both banks of the canal. After the work was completed, unspent Tk 37 lakh 50 thousand 540 was deposited in the government treasury.

Local residents and project beneficiaries HM Kawsar Madbar and Rubel Howlader said that about 20,000 farmers in the area will benefit from the excavation of the West Kewabunia Canal. Farmers used to face problems in cultivating Rabi crops due to shortage of irrigation water during the dry season. The re-excavation of the canal will greatly reduce that crisis. In addition, the beauty of the area has also increased due to the plantation of trees on the banks of the canal.

They said that the practice of returning unspent funds after spending government allocations is commendable locally. If government officials and public representatives work responsibly, the benefits of development projects for the people will increase further.

Amtali Upazila PIO Runu Begum said that the canal excavation work has been completed as per the instructions of the Upazila Executive Officer and the project implementation work order. After the work was completed, the unspent money was returned to the government treasury.

UNO Muhammad Zafar Arif Chowdhury said, the canal excavation is a public welfare initiative. In addition to completing the excavation work as per the project instructions, various species of trees have been planted on both banks of the canal. He said, a total of 1 crore 28 lakh 82 thousand 837 taka was allocated for the excavation of the two canals. After the work was completed, 37 lakh 50 thousand 540 taka was returned to the government treasury.

Local residents Fakhruddin Tahsin Mridha and Md. Rashimul Haque Rimon said that the incident of returning unspent funds allocated for government development work has set a commendable example in Amtoli. According to them, if public representatives and government officials work responsibly, the benefits of development projects will reach the people more effectively.