Special Correspondent:

There are allegations one after another around the concerned engineers of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Sirajganj, but no action is yet to take against any of the involved persons that encouraging the corrupt officials to continue so.

Sometimes written complaints were submitted to the higher authorities including Deputy Commissioner (DC), no remarkable action was noticed after submission of allegations, complainant said.

Insiders said, LGED’s Sirajganj office has turned into a den of corruption and irregularities due to inefficiency and mismanagement of the Executive Engineer Rejaur Rohman. As a result, most of the project works are going on at a snail’s pace, while some are facing uncertainty over their timely completion, insiders said.

There are several allegations of bribery and commission trade against Senior Assistant Engineer Ismail Hossain and his close associates.

According to a written complaint submitted by Abdul Momin, Proprietor of J.B Enterprise on December last, Ismail Hossain, Senior Assistant Engineer of LGED’s Sirajganj office demanded Tk 70,000 from him as office cost. The copy of the complaint was also submitted to the ACC, DC and other relevant officials for the lawful action, but to no effect.

Sufferers said, Ismail realizes bribe and commission against each of the project works in the name of maintaining office cost. The money is shared top to bottom of the office on the basis of fixed percentage.

Seeking anonymity, a contractor of the department said, “No action is taken against the offenders. In contrary, those, who submit allegations, face immense pressure and become victim of harassment. In some cases, the complainant losses work order or losses license. In most cases, the complainant’s license is blacklisted if they refuse to pay the commission or file a complaint.

This is why, after few days of submitting an allegation, the matter is settled due to pressure of the concerned officers. As a result, no investigation sees the ray of light.

For the same reason, the allegations against Ismail could not progress to investigation. Executive Engineer Rezaur Rahman said that the matter was resolved by locally discussions.

In the beginning of January last, allegations of faulty and substandard work and irregularities were brought against the concerned contracting firm over the renovation of Katagari regional road in Tarash upazila of the district. On December 7, a written complaint signed by at least 110 villagers was submitted to the respected DC and other top officials seeking remedy.

Chattogram based construction firm Md Yunus and Brother had been carrying the work involving about Tk 19.38 crore with below standard materials through its unauthorized subcontractors-Mirza Saiful Islam and Mahbub Chowdhury. But no action was taken over the issue except so-called noticing and verbal discussing. After a certain time, all of the works have made valid in exchange of money.

Highest complaints of irregularities were found over the work in Tarash and Ullapara upazila. Earlier, contractors left seven road renovation works on the plea of demanding excessive PC (percentage/commission) by Tarash Upazila Engineer Md Fazlul Haque. On the other hand, Fazlul Haque tried to get defense saying that contractors left the work due to nonpayment of additional bills demanded by them after carrying a little work.

It is known that, when tenders were invited for the construction and renovation of public roads in Tarash Upazila in the 2024-25 fiscal year, M/s Search Trading got work order of Tk 2.98 crore for the construction of Chandpur-Nama Sylhet road, Hasna Construction Tk 1.42 crore for the renovation of Binodpur Kusumbi via Binsara road, M/s Sabbir Construction Tk 6.61 crore for Naogaon Mazar Road to Rangmahal road, M/s Rayan Construction Tk 4.65 crore for Ulipur to Chakjoykrishnapur road, Ocean Enterprise Tk 5.33 crore for Saratla Madhainagar via Madarjani road, Ocean Enterprise Tk 2.45 crore more for Binodpur to Khadkharia road, and Nishit Basu and Meem Development Tk 9.34 crore Hedarkhal to Kundail via Dhaptetulia road.

Later, many of them left the work and went into hiding. As a result, the authorities were forced to call new tenders and start work anew in some places that adds additional cost and time. It is being said that, most of the works are being hampered due to excessive commission business and inefficiency of the executive engineer Rejaur and other engineers. But the contractors are unable to open their mouths in fear of harassment.

Due to delay completion and substandard works at different places, local residents and commuters have been facing immense suffering for long.

When contacted over cell phone for a comment, Ismail Hossain, Senior Assistant Engineer of LGED in Sirajganj requested to meet with him for tea.

On the other hand, Rejaur Rohman did not make any comment over the issues.