The Education Engineering Department (EED) is responsible for ensuring the proper use of public funds in the construction, renovation and improvement of educational institutions across Bangladesh. However, the department, which plays a crucial role in developing the country's educational infrastructure, has long faced allegations of irregularities, nepotism and corruption.

Although administrative reforms and initiatives to improve transparency have been undertaken in various government offices following the change in political power, some EED officials and employees allege that the expected changes have yet to materialise within the department.

According to the complainants, questions have arisen over the alleged involvement of influential officials and individuals associated with the former ruling party in transfer and posting irregularities, interference in public procurement, recruitment irregularities and payments to contractors before construction work was completed. Several former and current leaders of the Bangabandhu Engineers' Council, as well as senior officials of the department, have come under scrutiny over these allegations.

The allegations include using political influence to secure promotions and preferred postings, influencing the award of government contracts, and failing to take effective action against officials accused of financial misconduct. The allegations require independent verification, while responses from the individuals concerned and the relevant authorities are essential for a balanced assessment.

Controversial Officials Remain in Key Positions After Political Transition

Following the political transition on August 5, 2024, demands for administrative transparency and accountability grew across various government institutions. However, a section of aggrieved EED officials and employees claims that the department has yet to undergo the changes they had expected.

They allege that several officials who benefited from their association with the Bangabandhu Engineers' Council during the Awami League government's tenure continue to hold important and potentially lucrative positions within the department.

The officials have reportedly faced allegations of using political influence to secure promotions and preferred postings, facilitate the awarding of contracts and collect commissions.

According to the complainants, despite allegations of administrative and financial misconduct, no visible action has been taken against some of the officials concerned. They also claim that dissatisfaction has grown within the department because effective action has allegedly not followed departmental inquiries, written complaints and applications submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Questions have been raised over the roles of several officials, including Mojahidul Islam Alif, Jahedul Karim, Md Shahidul Islam, Md Abul Hashem Sardar and Sarwar Hossain.

However, the specific allegations against each individual, the relevant documentary evidence and their responses need to be examined separately before any conclusions can be drawn.

Inquiry Findings and Posting Decisions Raise Questions Over Mojahidul Alif

Mojahidul Islam Alif currently holds an important position in the EED's Dhaka Metro Zone. He has previously faced allegations of irregularities in payments related to construction projects. Some departmental officials have questioned his subsequent posting and continued responsibilities despite reported recommendations for disciplinary action.

According to information cited in a departmental inquiry, allegations of financial irregularities emerged in a project to construct a six-storey academic building at Kafrul Adarsha High School in the capital. The project was valued at Tk 4.43 crore.

The inquiry report reportedly stated that Tk 2.3341 crore was paid to the contractor on September 16, 2021, before the construction work had been completed.

During a site inspection on September 21, 2022, the inquiry committee reportedly found that work on the building's second floor remained incomplete, while the casting of the fourth-floor roof was under way.

According to information related to the inquiry, work worth approximately Tk 1.18 crore remained unfinished at the time. The circumstances surrounding the payment therefore raised questions about whether the contractor had been paid in violation of applicable procedures.

The departmental inquiry committee reportedly recommended disciplinary action against Alif and other officials concerned. However, the administrative measures taken, if any, following that recommendation need to be established through official records.

Alif has also faced allegations relating to a project worth approximately Tk 180 crore at the Arab University in Keraniganj, where a contractor was allegedly paid around Tk 20 crore in advance despite insufficient progress in the work. Verification of this allegation would require examination of the project's payment records, progress reports and audit documents.

Some EED officials and employees have further alleged that Alif was posted to the Dhaka Metro Zone to facilitate a preferred contractor in the tender evaluation process for a project worth approximately Tk 100 crore at the department's headquarters in Agargaon.

However, independently verified evidence supporting this allegation, as well as an official response from the authorities concerned, has not been established here. The matter therefore warrants further scrutiny rather than being treated as a proven instance of wrongdoing.

Jahedul Karim Allegedly Seeks Top Post

Jahedul Karim has also come under scrutiny over allegations of political influence and efforts to retain important positions within the department.

According to information cited in connection with the allegations, Karim was an executive member of the central convening committee of the Bangabandhu Engineers' Council announced on July 27, 2022. At the time, he was serving as executive engineer at the EED's Dhaka district office.

Complainants allege that Karim, who they claim benefited from political connections in the past, is seeking to retain an influential position following the political transition. They further allege that he has been actively pursuing the post of chief engineer, the department's highest position.

However, any claim of irregularities in the appointment process or attempts to secure the top post must be assessed against official appointment records, eligibility criteria and other relevant evidence. His political association or reported career ambitions alone would not establish misconduct.

Chief Engineer Faces Questions Over Accountability

The role of EED Chief Engineer Md Tarek Anwar Zahedi has also come under scrutiny amid allegations of irregularities, transfer-related dealings and questionable financial transactions within the department.

A section of departmental officials and employees alleges that adequate progress has not been made in resolving complaints against subordinate officials, investigating financial irregularities or ensuring transparency in tender evaluation.

They have also alleged administrative inaction in addressing allegations against controversial officials.

However, allegations that the chief engineer personally engaged in irregularities, protected officials accused of wrongdoing or influenced tender evaluations require specific documentary evidence and an examination of the relevant decision-making processes. His response to the allegations is also necessary to ensure a fair and balanced report.

The allegations raise broader questions about the department's internal oversight mechanisms, the implementation of inquiry recommendations and the effectiveness of administrative accountability.

Calls for an Impartial Investigation and Administrative Action

Officials and employees critical of the department's current situation have called for an impartial investigation into alleged financial irregularities, questionable transfers and postings, and the abuse of official authority.

They have demanded that anyone found responsible through a proper investigation face administrative or legal action in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

They have also called for a review of payment records for the projects concerned, tender evaluation procedures, the implementation of departmental inquiry recommendations and the posting process for officials.

Ensuring transparency and accountability at the EED is particularly important because the department oversees public spending on infrastructure that directly affects students and educational institutions. Financial misconduct in such projects, if established, could lead not only to the misuse of public funds but also undermine the quality and safety of educational facilities.

The key question now is whether the department and the relevant authorities will investigate the allegations thoroughly, establish responsibility on the basis of evidence and take appropriate action where wrongdoing is proven.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the Prime Minister’s Political Adviser and Acting Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of attempting to tarnish the government’s image by spreading misleading information. He made the allegation on Saturday morning while participating in a dengue awareness campaign organised by the Dhaka Metropolitan South unit of the BNP in the Fakirapul Kacha Bazar area of the capital. The campaign involved distributing leaflets to raise public awareness about dengue.

Rizvi said that certain groups were attempting to mislead the public by spreading misinformation to serve their narrow political interests. He added that deliberate falsehoods and propaganda aimed at damaging the government’s overall image were unacceptable.

Rejecting allegations of an understanding between the BNP and the Awami League, Rizvi said those making claims about an agreement with the Awami League must provide relevant documents to substantiate their allegations. In contrast, he claimed that specific evidence of political collusion involving his opponents had already been made public.

Referring to Bangladesh’s position in the global food security index, Rizvi said the country was currently performing better than India and Pakistan.

He further alleged that a particular group was attempting to create artificial disorder and instability in the country. However, he asserted that the people of Bangladesh would not accept such attempts to create chaos.

Faisal Alam, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) in Barishal, is facing multiple serious allegations of corruption, embezzlement, irregularities in the tendering process, and non-compliance with administrative directives. The allegations include approving advance payments totaling Tk 150 million before the completion of work in exchange for an alleged bribe of Tk 15 million, discrepancies surrounding a reported copper pipe theft at Barishal Cancer Hospital, and failure to comply with an official transfer order. The allegations have sparked concern among relevant stakeholders. However, the final findings of any independent investigation have not been made available.

Sources familiar with the allegations claim that contract awards were made in favour of preferred contractors in exchange for financial benefits, allegedly in violation of tender conditions. It has also been alleged that two contractors received advance payments totaling Tk 150 million despite the work remaining incomplete. The complainants have further alleged that Tk 15 million was paid as a bribe in connection with these transactions.

According to the allegations, payments made without properly following the applicable rules and procedures could expose the government to substantial financial losses. A contractor, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that such irregularities could cause financial damage to the public exchequer. However, the allegations could not be independently verified, as supporting payment records, approval documents, and evidence of the alleged bribe have not been made publicly available.

Questions have also been raised over an alleged theft involving copper pipes valued at approximately Tk 50 million at the under-construction Barishal Cancer Hospital. According to sources, a General Diary (GD) was filed with the police in connection with the incident. Police subsequently launched an investigation following an application submitted by the contractor.

According to Monirul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali Model Police Station under Barishal Metropolitan Police, there was a significant discrepancy between the reported value of the stolen materials and the estimated value of the pipes actually stolen. He reportedly stated that the market value of the stolen pipes could have been no more than Tk 10,000. One suspect was arrested in connection with the case and was subsequently sentenced by a court to six months in prison, according to the information provided. However, the full case records and investigation report have not been independently reviewed.

A responsible official at the hospital alleged that the theft claim may have been exaggerated as part of a scheme to misappropriate funds allocated for purchasing the required materials. If substantiated, the allegation would raise serious questions about the management of public funds and transparency in project implementation.

Faisal Alam is also facing allegations of administrative misconduct. Sources claim that he was among 16 executive engineers of the Public Works Department transferred to Dhaka. However, he has allegedly remained in Barishal without complying with the transfer order. He has also been accused of signing official documents from his government residence instead of attending his designated office.

Further allegations include using government-provided fuel for personal trips to Khulna and excavating a pond at night within the grounds of the century-old historic bungalow belonging to the Barishal Public Works Department, allegedly without following the applicable government rules. No formal response from the relevant authorities regarding these allegations was available at the time of writing.

Repeated attempts were made to contact Faisal Alam and Md. Khaled Hussain, Additional Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, by mobile phone for their comments. However, neither responded to the calls, leaving their positions on the allegations unknown.

A source at the office of the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department stated that the issues were being reviewed seriously. The source also indicated that necessary legal action would be taken after the allegations were examined and their validity established.

The allegations have highlighted the importance of transparency in public procurement, accountability in project implementation, and the proper use of government funds. A thorough and impartial investigation, supported by relevant financial records, tender documents, and official correspondence, is essential to establish the facts.

If the allegations are substantiated, appropriate legal and administrative action should be taken against those responsible. Until the investigation is completed, however, the allegations should not be treated as established facts, and all parties should be given a fair opportunity to present their evidence and responses.

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