Sariakandi (Bogura) Correspondent 

 Severe irregularities, financial corruption, and mismanagement have surfaced in the Local Government Engineering Department’s (LGED) Labour Contracting Society (LCS) rural road maintenance project in Sariakandi, Bogura.

At the center of the controversy is project supervisor Pavel Mia—joint convener of the Upazila Fishermen’s League, appointed during the former Awami League regime under ex-MP Sahadara Mannan. Pavel stands accused of drawing a salary without fulfilling his supervisory duties, engaging in proxy worker schemes, and using fake ID cards on master rolls. Local sources reveal that while 30 poor women are listed on the master roll, only 18 to 20 actually work in the field, with brokers retaining control of the workers' bank checkbooks to embezzle the remaining funds.

Despite these widespread allegations, Sariakandi Municipal BNP General Secretary Advocate Shariful Islam Hira has actively intervened to safeguard Pavel’s position. Hira explicitly directed Upazila Engineer Tuhin Sarkar to refrain from taking disciplinary action or removing Pavel from his post.

Upazila Engineer Tuhin Sarkar confirmed receiving direct recommendations from local BNP leaders, including Hira, to retain Pavel. When pressed on the matter, Advocate Shariful Islam Hira defended his actions, stating, "I have to run in local elections, so I cannot afford to alienate anyone. That is why I asked the upazila engineer during the coordination meeting to keep Pavel in his post."

While project supervisor Pavel Mia offered "no comment," local residents have raised sharp concerns over the collusion between local political leaders across party lines, which continues to undermine government poverty-alleviation initiatives intended for vulnerable rural women.