Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :
The construction and repairmen work of 63.46 Killometter crops protection dams have been completed through 54 Project Implementation Committees (PICs) in haor areas of Kishoreganj. Haor farmers are relieved as the old dams have been repaired as well as the construction of new dams has been completed. However, the PIC members did not get the money due even after completing the entire work. They are in extreme distress. The Water Development Board (WDB) Office says the bill is not being paid due to shortfall in allocation and non-allocation of funds as per demand.
According to WDB sources, the allocation for the construction of 63.46 km dam in 7 haor upazilas are Mithamin, Ashtagram, Itna, Bhairab, Karimganj, Tarail and Nikli of Kishoreganj was Tk 9 crore 61 lakh 71 thousand. However, only 3 crore 60 lakh 36 thousand rupees has been allocated. Work on the dam started on December 15 last year and was scheduled to be completed by February 28 this year. The formation of PIC was completed on 21 January. However, this time the period was extended till March 15 as the water receded late and the work was not completed on time.
The PIC members said that they have completed the work within the stipulated time with full vigor. As per the rules, they are supposed to get 75 per cent of the total allocation against the project works. But so far only 39.55 percent has been given.
Recently, a team of reporters visiting the dams at Badla, Raituti, and Barabaria haor in Itna upazila. At the 5th Project Implication Committes (PIC) President Gani Bhuiyan said the allocation for their project on the Tari Maduri canal was estimated at tk.1.5 million.So far they have received only tk.5.96 lakh in two installments. As per rules,he was supposed to get 75 percent of the total allocation including 3rd installment but didn’t get the next.He also said we have completed 100 percent of the workof the project by borrowing. But not we misery without getting money.
