Kajol Baran Das, Patuakhali
Dumki Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Mohammad Ali has been accused of widespread irregularities, commission trading, fake bills and vouchers, withdrawing funds without completing work and misappropriating government money in development projects.
An investigation found allegations of funds being withdrawn without work, nominal work being shown for full payments, and irregularities in several projects. The PIO has also allegedly built an influential network in each union through which project allocations are divided and commissions collected from project chairpersons.
A major allegation is that Mohammad Ali demanded Tk 45,000 from the husband of a female Union Parishad member as commission for two projects. An audio recording related to the allegation has circulated on social media.
Several project chairpersons and Union Parishad members, speaking anonymously, alleged that commissions of up to Tk 20,000 per Tk 100,000 are demanded from projects, with bills allegedly withheld if commissions are not paid. They claimed commissions range from 20 per cent for properly completed projects to 50 per cent for poor-quality work.
Local representatives further alleged that the PIO uses people of his choice to implement projects and often does not inspect them personally, instead having an office assistant conduct formal inspections before bills are approved.
Dumki receives substantial annual allocations under TR, Kabikha, Kabita, food assistance and other development projects. Locals alleged that limited public awareness of these allocations allows funds to be siphoned off in the name of project implementation.
Several specific irregularities were found. Project No. 7 in Lebukhali Union received Tk 300,000 for repairing a road from Mokbul Sharif's house to Siddiq Sharif's shop, but no work was found. Project Chairperson Mosa. Jesmin Begum said she knew nothing about the allocation or work.
Project No. 22 at the Upazila Parishad premises received Tk 200,000 for earth filling and brick soling beside a car-washing ramp, but no work was found. No comment was obtained from Project Chairperson and Chairman Md Azhar Ali Mridha.
Project No. 9 for 2025-26 received Tk 210,000 for earth filling at the Upazila Parishad field and UNO's residence, but no work was found. Project Chairperson Abdul Jalil said the PIO knew about it.
Project No. 6 allocated Tk 140,000 for CCTV cameras at five vulnerable election centres, but no evidence of installation was found. In another project, Tk 250,000 was allocated to fill the field of Kartikpasha Government Primary School, but no school by that name could be found during a field visit. The allocation was allegedly withdrawn.
Several road repair projects in Srirampur, Pangashia and Lebukhali unions also allegedly involved minimal work against full payments. Locals claimed that work worth Tk 40,000-Tk 50,000 was shown while Tk 200,000-Tk 400,000 was withdrawn.
Asked about the allegations, including commission trading, withdrawing bills without completing work and obtaining a no-objection certificate to travel abroad with his family, PIO Mohammad Ali asked the reporter to meet him in person before ending the call.
Patuakhali District Relief and Disaster Management Officer Md Delwar Hossain did not answer repeated phone and WhatsApp calls.
ACC Patuakhali Assistant Commissioner Tapas Biswas said there had been a complaint against Mohammad Ali and an operation was conducted. Its report was sent to ACC headquarters but has not yet been approved. Further action will be taken after approval, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Mohammad Shahid Hossain Chowdhury said a letter regarding corruption allegations against the PIO had been received and work was under way. Necessary action would be taken if the allegations were proven.
Kazi Md Badruluzzaman, joint secretary at the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Management, said an investigation had been conducted based on the allegations and the report submitted to the authorities.
Despite previous departmental investigations and an ACC inquiry over alleged irregularities and corruption, Mohammad Ali continues to serve in the same post. Locals allege that he remains in office under the protection of an influential quarter. #EK
