Tabarak Hossain Azad, Lakshmipur: Allegations of fraud have emerged regarding the execution of the 9 crore taka project by the Low Income Neighborhood (LINIC) Implementation Committee under the Urban Management and Infrastructure Development Project of Raipur Municipality in Lakshmipur. Currently, 71 lakh 50 thousand taka has been disbursed to the bank accounts of selected individuals across four packages.
This initiative is being funded by the Asian Development Bank (AFD). It is important to highlight that the relevant ministry issued a notification on August 18, dismissing Raipur Municipality Mayor and AL leader Gias Uddin Rubel along with the entire committee. Allegations have surfaced that following the uprising on August 5, several officials and employees forged the signature of the ousted mayor to establish a LINIC committee, raising concerns that this could undermine the government’s goals for the project. Recently, a complaint regarding these irregularities was lodged with the project director and other relevant authorities.
The Urban Management and Infrastructure Development Project was initiated last year to enhance the quality of life, infrastructure, and environment in 37 municipalities, including Raipur, in its first phase. This includes municipalities such as Ramganj, Ramgati in the district, and Chaumuhani and Gopalganj in Noakhali. Subsequently, a total of 68 municipalities, including 31, were incorporated into the project in two additional phases, with reports indicating that development work has commenced in some areas. Zakir Hossain, the Administrative Officer (Secretary) of Chaumuhani Municipality in Noakhali, stated, ‘We have been allocated Tk 30 crore for the urban management and infrastructure development project. However, the implementation committee has convened without any training yet. Although the committee was established prior to August 5, it remains unchanged, and there have been no objections raised.’
A meeting and training session regarding the Urban Management and Infrastructure Development Project took place at the Raipur Municipality Office auditorium on Monday, May 5. Attended by Municipal Administrator and Raipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Imran Khan, the event saw participation from individuals across various sectors. Multiple speakers addressed issues such as alterations to name lists and instances of signature forgery. Municipal BNP member secretary Shafiqul Alam Almas and senior joint convener, former councilor Abdur Zaher Miyaji, expressed concerns that opportunistic groups are attempting to misappropriate allocated funds through these irregularities.
Reports indicate that a liaison committee has been established to oversee the development of 26 houses across 9 packages in 9 wards of Raipur Municipality, with the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) allocating 9 crore taka for this initiative. Notably, there will be no tender process for this project; instead, the chairperson and the deputy assistant engineer of the municipality will manage the work. The project aims to implement various development activities, including road construction, drainage systems, pond ghatla, sanitation improvements, deep tube well installations, and lighting enhancements. On June 10, 2024, the then Mayor Gias Uddin Rubel formalized a tripartite agreement with the project committee. Farzana Akhter Achma from Ward No. 3, Nandita Rani Saha from Ward No. 6, and Shiuli Akhter from Ward No. 8 were appointed as chairpersons of the Linik Committee under this agreement, which is set for a duration of 5 years. However, following the fall of the Awami League government, manipulations led to Jannatul Ferdous Beauty being designated as the chairperson for Ward No. 6, Rahima Begum for Ward No. 3, Shahnaz Akhter for Ward No. 8, and Fatema Begum for Ward No. 1.
Abul Hossain, a former councilor of ward number 8 in the municipality, stated, “Initially, Shiuli Akhter was appointed as the project chairperson in my ward. However, after August 5, when the mayor vacated the area, the committee was deliberately altered, and Shahnaz Akhter was appointed as the new chairperson. All wards, including the chairperson position, have been filled with new individuals. The truth will only emerge following an investigation.” Five employees from the municipality office, who requested anonymity, revealed that former mayor Gias Uddin Rubel serves as the joint general secretary of the Raipur Upazila Awami League.
After the Awami League government fell on August 5, he did not return to the municipality office. Yet, on August 13, several officials and employees of the municipality hastily presented meeting minutes and made resolutions. They forged the mayor’s signature, replaced the previous committee with their preferred individuals, and opened bank accounts in their names. When reached for comment, former mayor Gias Uddin Rubel, currently in the United States, remarked, “I did not authorize any document to alter the list of the Linik project. I have been informed that a new list was submitted with my signature forged.
This was done with the intent to misappropriate government funds.” Meanwhile, a resident of the Denayatpur area of Raipur Municipality, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, recently reported irregularities in the project to the Director General, alleging that the committee was changed through fraudulent means in collusion with former mayor ABM Jilani, municipality accountant Nur A Helal Mamun, and municipality market inspector Mahtab Uddin. So far, 71 lakh 50 thousand taka has been deposited into the Linik Committee’s bank account. This includes 18 lakh 12 thousand taka in Azam Uddin Bepari Bari, 17 lakh 11 thousand taka in Kuripara, 18 lakh 62 thousand taka in Boyati Bari, and 17 lakh 14 thousand taka in Nayabari-Chhayalbari. However, no work has commenced yet.
Shafiqul Alam Almas, the secretary of the Raipur Municipal BNP, stated, “There is covert manipulation occurring to embezzle funds. This constitutes pond theft. We will not permit any irregularities or corruption to occur under the guise of political changes. We have brought this matter to the attention of the project committee.
The municipal administrator has promised to investigate the irregularities.” Former mayor ABM Jilani refuted the claims, asserting his non-involvement. He questioned his own influence, suggesting that the opposition is disseminating propaganda for political gain. Nur-e-Helal Mamun echoed this sentiment, stating, “I have no connection to the project. False information is being circulated in our names.” Raipur Municipality Administrator and UNO Imran Khan remarked, “While some funds have been allocated for the project, work has yet to commence. We have received reports of irregularities, such as committee changes, the addition of new names, and funds being allocated in the name of women without proper acknowledgment of the municipality’s account. These matters have been escalated to higher authorities.” When reached for comment, Urban Management and Infrastructure Development Project Director Md. Abdul Barek said, “I will speak with you later” before ending the call.
