Arrangements to embezzle funds allocated for the 41 dam projects in Jamalganj haor

Staff Correspondent

Only one crop protection dam is built every year in the Jamalganj section of the Jawalbhanga Haor. Last year, there was no project because the soil of this dam was intact. However, this year, more than double the allocation has been given by showing a shallow closure (breakage) in the intact dam. Thus, government allocation is being looted in the name of building crop protection dams in this upazila.

Although none of the local farmers have spoken out about this, a field visit revealed the embezzlement of government funds through additional allocations. After investigation, it was revealed that such allocations have been made for most of the six haor dams in the upazila.

On Sunday, a visit to the dam area of ​​​​Joalbhanga Haor showed that most of the dam on the banks of the Rakti River is still standing on old soil. Although there is a closure (break) between Fazilpur and Sonapur villages, its depth is not very deep. The work of pouring soil into the break, including the intact part of the dam, is ongoing. Efforts have been made to cover the old, high-rise structure of the dam with a small amount of soil.

Looking at the PIC list of the last few years, it can be seen that a project is given to Jawalbhanga Haor every year. In the 2019-20 fiscal year, the allocation for this project was 3 lakh 88 thousand taka. In the 2020-21 fiscal year, 3 lakh 63 thousand taka. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, 5 lakh 14 thousand taka. Although the amount of soil was mentioned as 2719.58 in the 2022-23 fiscal year list, the amount of allocation was not mentioned. The local administration did not publish the PIC list in the 2023-24 fiscal year. No dam was built in this haor in the 2024-25 fiscal year. This year, 19 lakh 3 thousand 379 taka has been allocated in favor of PIC number 28 in Jawalbhanga Haor. Looking at the actual picture of the dam on the ground, a pattern of allocation has emerged.

Besides, the issue of over-allocation of funds in several haors in Jamalganj has come to the notice. This year, 764,62,000 taka has been allocated for 41 projects in 6 haors in Jamalganj. Last year, the allocation was 717,70,000 taka. There have been allegations that government allocations are being diverted to unproductive and unnecessary projects.

A former PIC of the Jawalbhanga Dam and a local farmer, who did not want to be named, said, “I myself have worked on this dam. The allocation was very low then. Last year, there was no project here. But the people concerned can tell us why so much allocation has been given this year. However, the matter seems worrying.”

Jamalganj Upazila Haor Bachao Andolon General Secretary Abdullah Al Mamun said, “We are aware of the issue of additional allocation for the dam of Jawalbhanga Haor. Even though most of the dams of all the haors in the upazila are intact, the allocation has been doubled. An area of ​​embezzlement has been created in collusion with the concerned authorities. We demand action after investigation.” He also said, “Johny, the branch officer of PAUBO here, has grown close to many people since he has been in the same workplace for a long time. Therefore, he has given PIC to those with whom he has a good relationship. Many people who are eligible to get PIC in Jamalganj have been excluded.”

Upazila Water Development Board (PAUBO) branch officer Md. Zahidul Islam Joni said, “This year, the estimate and survey have changed a lot compared to the past. The height of the dam will now be higher than before. The slope of this closure of Jawalbhanga Haor will be large and geotex will be provided. There is no problem in the estimate measurement.”