Panchagarh Correspondent:
Project implementation in Tetulia Upazila is being disrupted as the Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO), Md. Maidul Islam Shaha, commutes daily from his home in Nilphamari instead of residing locally.
Since joining Tetulia in October 2024, the PIO has been staying at his village home in Nilphamari, roughly 150 km away. He travels to work each day by private car or night coach, often arriving late in the afternoon several days a week. This has caused serious disruptions to office operations and inconvenience to public representatives.
Taking advantage of the situation, some contractors allegedly complete work according to their own terms and even withdraw payments before fully completing projects.
According to office sources, for the 2025–26 fiscal year, 27 Kabita (food-for-work) projects worth Tk 8.3 million, 27 rural infrastructure renovation (TR) projects worth Tk 6.3 million, and 18 Kabikha (rice and wheat) projects totaling 86 metric tons were approved on September 23, 2025. However, due to the PIO’s frequent absence, the implementation of these projects is not progressing in a timely and efficient manner.
Additionally, the PIO failed to perform his duties during the recent Durga Puja, despite being assigned by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).
Md. Zahirul Islam, an office assistant, said, “We face various forms of harassment because the PIO is not present in the office on time.”
When contacted by phone, PIO Md. Maidul Islam Shaha said, “I sometimes work from my Nilphamari residence and also stay in Tetulia. I had submitted a leave application before Puja and visited the Dhaka office.”
However, UNO Md. Afroz Shahin Khasru stated, “Since my joining, I’ve never seen the PIO stay overnight in Tetulia. He was absent even after being assigned Puja duty. I’m unaware of any official leave request.”
Panchagarh District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md. Ashif Ali confirmed, “The PIO is not regularly present in the Tetulia office and commutes from Nilphamari. The matter has been reported in writing to higher authorities through the UNO.”
