Allegations of embezzlement of money for road construction work in Kurigram

Kurigram Correspondent: In Thanahat and Raniganj Unions of Chilmari Upazila of Kurigram, money has been embezzled from the workers of Prabhati project. It is learned that the work of Prabhati project started in 2016 under the Department of Local Government and Engineering to strengthen the rural economy during the Covid-19 period. In the financial year 2021-2022, 200 workers worked under 9 road leveling projects in different areas of Thanahat and Raniganj Union of Chilmari Upazila of Kurigram. Although the work of the project was completed, the upazila engineer and the people involved in the project delayed to pay the bills of the workers. Finally, before the last Eid-ul-Fitr, under the pressure of the workers, the Upazila Engineers and the people involved in the project withdrew the entire money of the project by signing a check without putting the amount of money in two master rolls and two groups. Md. Nurul Islam, Field Assistant Engineer of the project and Aminul Islam, LCS Officer distributed Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 16,000 among the workers of each project. Workers have been accused of paying less than they owe when distributing money. When the workers verbally informed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer about this, he assured action. But the workers have been living a dehumanized life for the last two months without getting any remedy. Manjina Begum of Kayar Par 5 Group of Raniganj Union said, I have received 16 thousand 1 hundred rupees in three installments. He was supposed to get 25 thousand five hundred rupees. Raju Mia, a worker of Project No. 1 from Manju Badshah's Reich Mill in Thanahat Union to Ahalur Ferry Ghat, said he got Rs 21,000 for his project even though he was supposed to get Rs 21,000. According to the workers, they have embezzled a total of more than Tk 10 lakh by giving less than Rs 6,000 to Rs 6,000 per worker through the connivance of Upazila Engineer and LCS Officer of Prabhati Project Aminul Islam and Assistant Field Engineer Nurul Islam. In this regard, Upazila Engineer Md. Rafiqul Islam said, the money owed to the workers has been signed by the master roll. In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Mahbubur Rahman said, if the workers lodge a complaint, action will be taken after investigation.