Serious allegations of corruption and misuse of government funds have surfaced over 79 rural infrastructure development projects under the Kajer Binimoye Khaddo (Kabikha) and Kajer Binimoye Taka (Kabita) programmes in Bhedarganj upazila of Shariatpur.
It is alleged that bills amounting to approximately Tk 1.69 crore were withdrawn despite work being partially completed or not carried out at all. Officials concerned have also been accused of demanding commissions during bill disbursements.
According to project-related sources, the government allocated funds for rural road construction and infrastructure development in 13 unions of the upazila. Under the Kabikha programme, 61 projects received allocations, including 83.53 metric tons of wheat and 83.53 metric tons of rice. Additionally, over Tk 1.40 crore was allocated for 18 projects under the Kabita programme.
Of the total 79 projects, 46 were for construction and reconstruction of kutcha roads, 18 for brick soling, 10 for field filling, and five for construction of ablution facilities and toilets at mosques and khanqahs.
However, investigations on the ground revealed that many of the listed roads showed no signs of recent construction or repair. Local residents living alongside several project roads said they were unaware of any work being carried out, despite official records showing the projects as completed.
A Union Parishad member, requesting anonymity, alleged that a fixed commission was demanded for bill clearance. “For every Tk 100,000 allocated, Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000 has to be paid as commission to the PIO, sub-assistant engineer and others. With the remaining amount, proper work is impossible,” the member said.
One such project involved the reconstruction of a kutcha road from Gayan Bari Mosque to nearby shops in Ward No. 4 of Uttar Tarabunia Union, for which wheat worth Tk 2.27 lakh was allocated. While the Upazila Project Implementation Office (PIO) claimed the work had been completed, local residents said no earthwork had been done on the road in the last five years.
Similar allegations were raised in Ward No. 3 of Dakshin Tarabunia Union, where wheat worth approximately Tk 1.40 lakh was allocated for road construction from Afa Molla Bazar trawler ghat to the house of Gias Uddin Pradhania. Locals said only two labourers worked for a single day clearing roadside grass, after which no further work was done, although the project was officially shown as completed.
Union Parishad Chairman Sekandar Khan claimed the work had been carried out in accordance with official procedures and confirmed that he had already withdrawn the bill. He declined further comment and advised journalists to contact the concerned office.
Local resident Manik Gayan said no work had been done on the road in the past three to four years. “During the monsoon, we still have to use boats. If the road had been repaired, people would not be preparing boats again this year,” he said.
Another resident, Abdus Salam, an auto-rickshaw driver who uses the road daily, said there was no visible evidence of construction. “Even if work was done at night, there should be signs. Everything seems to exist only on paper,” he said.
When contacted, Ujjal Mondol, Sub-Assistant Engineer of the Upazila Disaster Management Department, said bills were issued following due procedure and claimed the government would recover money from those who failed to complete work. When asked to provide proof that bills were not issued without work, he reportedly got angry and left the office.
Acting PIO Hasan Ahmed said he was overseeing two upazilas simultaneously, which limited proper monitoring. “If anyone has taken money without completing the work, action will be taken in accordance with rules,” he said.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Hafizul Haque said he was aware of the allegations and assured action. “Those who withdrew bills without completing the work will be brought under accountability,” he said.
