Works of 55 government projects on rural development in Kurigram are yet to start even though the implementation deadline expired around a year ago. In the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the government undertook a total of 222 projects for improving rural infrastructure in three unions of Rajibpur upazila. Around Tk 2.50 crore was allocated for implementing the projects and the upazila project implementation officer (PIO) was authorised to supervise the works.
These projects were scheduled to be completed by June 2021. But 55 of those are yet to begin. The estimated cost of these projects is around Tk 55 lakh. Normally, the PIO forms a committee by engaging community people to implement such projects. The officer hands over some money to the committee after it starts the project, and the rest is paid at the end.
In August last year, Rajibpur UNO conducted a field survey and found that works of the 55 projects on road construction or repair did not begin. The UNO took initiative to take legal actions against those who delayed the projects. But the UNO was transferred to another upazila in September last year. Locals said presidents of the project committees, who are involved with the ruling party, might have played a role in transferring the UNO. Chiefs of several committees said they started the respective projects but were not given the money. Besides, rain and flood caused the delay.
Rajibpur of Kurigram is the poorest area of the country. Underdevelopment, political corruption and environmental degradation work jointly to put the locality in a poor area. The government must accelerate development works, ensure people access to basic services, ease of doing business, improve communication and ensure people’s participation in decision-making and project implementation. Local civil society and NGO should also come up with income-generating activities, and environmental protection. The district administration should also be courageous enough in implementing incomplete projects.
