Manjur Morshed Tuhin, Patuakhali

Serious questions have raised regarding multiple projects in the development and revenue sector of Galachipa Upazila Parishad of Patuakhali for the fiscal year 2025-2026, totaling 383 million taka.

Although the official documents of the decisions taken by the meeting show 100% implementation and withdrawal of funds, it has been alleged that the existence of some projects could not be found after going to the site. As a result, various questions have arisen in the public mind regarding government money expenditure, project implementation and supervision.

According to the information signed by the meeting president, Upazila Executive Officer Mahmudul Hasan, in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, 1 crore 7 lakh 24 thousand taka has been allocated from the Annual Development Assistance (ADP), 1 crore 86 lakh 3 thousand 372 taka for five revenue sector projects and 50 lakh taka for various repair and development works of the Upazila Complex (another document mentions 40 lakh taka). The total expenditure is mentioned in the document as 3 crore 83 lakh 27 thousand 372 taka and information has been given that all the works will be completed and the money will be withdrawn by June 30.

According to the document, these projects were approved in the Upazila Parishad meeting. The meeting was chaired by the Upazila Executive Officer and the member secretary was the Upazila Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).

But after receiving the information, after going to various places with the list of approved projects and talking to the locals, it was found that there was no match between the location of some of the works mentioned in the document and the actual picture. According to the locals, the relevant works do not exist in the places where the works are shown in the document. Again, no decision or resolution indicating that the project has been transferred elsewhere was found in the Upazila Executive Officer's office.

It was seen on the spot that although there was information about the expenditure of 96,582 taka on the construction of a pipe drain from the Upazila Parishad pond to the municipality drain, no visible existence of that work was found there.

In addition, there is information about the expenditure of 2,49,317 taka and 2,97,482 taka on two similar projects called the construction of a V-drain from the Agriculture Office to the Upazila Parishad boundary wall. Similarly, although there was information about the expenditure of 1,26,158 taka and 2,94,219 taka on the first and second parts of the construction of the approach road from the Upazila Parishad building to the Shaheed Minar, the existence of these projects could not be identified on the spot.

It was also seen that there was information about the expenditure of 6 lakh taka on the repair of the boundary wall from the back of the old gazetted quarter to the fisheries office, construction of a barbed wire fence and a gate. But there were no clear signs of new work there except for old walls, barbed wire and a dilapidated gate.

Local resident Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman said that a little barbed wire has been installed where there was no barbed wire a year ago. A broken part has been repaired. Apart from this, no significant work has been seen. It may cost a maximum of Tk 20,000.

A teacher who did not want to be named said that some development work is visible in the Upazila Parishad. But the common people do not know how much money has been allocated for which work and how much work has been done. Even though work is done in government places with government money, there is practically no accountability to the people.

Locals complain that although various projects are taken up in the name of Upazila Parishad development every fiscal year, the money is withdrawn before all the work is completed, showing 100% implementation on paper. Later, in the next fiscal year, the previous work is done again with new allocations. However, the independent truth of this allegation cannot be said for sure without an investigation by the concerned authorities.

In this regard, Farukuzzaman, the administrative officer of the UNO office, said, "The U-drain inside the complex was done by LGED. I don't know about other work, talk to LGED about it."

The current Upazila Engineer Md. Habibur Rahman said, "I recently joined here. To my knowledge, 100 percent work report for the last fiscal year has been submitted. There is no work or withdrawal of money for ADP and revenue sector CPC and tenders. The then responsible officials can tell us in detail about project implementation and financial matters.

The then Upazila Engineer Jahangir Alam said, "All our work has been done 100 percent correctly. There is no work left. If you look carefully, you will get all the work. It would be best to know the matter from the Upazila Executive Officer."

The current UNO Abujor Md. Ejazul Haque said, "I am not aware of the matter. It will be possible to speak about this only after verifying the documents and investigating it properly."

Deputy Director of Local Government (DDLG) Md. Jewel Rana said, the approved resolution copy can be changed and tendered. To know the real matter, you need to ask the concerned Upazila Administrator.

Meanwhile, in the light of the documents available, on-site observations and complaints from locals, local conscious circles have demanded an impartial investigation into whether the documents are consistent with the entire project implementation, expenditure and actual work.