Sylhet Bureau:-
Allegations of irregularities and corruption have been made against the upazila engineer and mechanic of the Sylhet Public Health Engineering Department. The accused are Engineer Ruhul and Mechanic Selim in charge of Jaintapur Upazila, Engineer Kazi Ruhel of South Surma Upazila, Engineer Abdullah and Mechanic Sujit of Fenchuganj Upazila. Jamal Uddin, son of Harish Mia of Lama Shyampur village of Jaintapur Upazila, submitted a written complaint to the Executive Engineer of the Sylhet Public Health Engineering Department, Md. Abul Kashem, on Monday (February 17), alleging irregularities and corruption.
According to the complaint, tubewell work is underway in 8 unions of Jaintapur Upazila on a government basis. However, the said tubewell work is being done by Engineer Ruhul and Mechanic Selim through irregularities and corruption, taking it from the appointed contractor.
He mentioned in the complaint that although the work was originally supposed to be done by a general contractor, the contractors were forced to refrain from working due to threats from Engineer Ruhul and Mechanic Selim. Engineer Ruhul and Mechanic Selim are jointly doing the work with their people and equipment, which is completely illegal and unfair. Here, other sub-contractors are not getting work in any way. Ruhul and Mechanic Selim have to pay a huge amount of bribe to get the work done.
He further mentioned that not only in Jaintapur but also in South Surma Upazila, Engineer Kazi Ruhel of the same office, Engineer Abdullah of Fenchuganj Upazila, and Mechanic Sujit Jaintapur are doing contracting through irregularities and corruption.
When any other subcontractors go to these upazilas, they are treated badly. He also said that there is tension in the area due to these irregularities and corruption.
When contacted to inquire about this, Sylhet Public Health Engineering Department Executive Engineer Md. Abul Kashem said, "We give work to vaccinators through e-tender. It is up to the vaccinator to whom he will assign the work. However, if there is any irregularity in the work, we take legal action against the vaccinator."
Engineer Kazi Ruhel of South Surma Upazila said, "I am an office worker, I come to work. Why would I go to vaccinate? I don't know anything about these things." Engineer Ruhul Amin of Jaintapur Upazila said, "The allegations are not true. We supervise the work, the vaccinators do the work." Engineer Abdullah of Fenchuganj Upazila said, "The work has not started in our Upazila yet." He said the allegations were not true.
