The Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) is one of the country's most important government institutions responsible for ensuring safe water supply, sanitation and public health infrastructure. Yet a series of allegations have recently emerged concerning the department's administrative structure, appointments and the implementation of various projects. At the center of many of these allegations is Md. Abdul Awal, the department's current Chief Engineer (in routine charge).
A section of DPHE officials and employees allege that Abdul Awal, who has held several important positions over the years, has strengthened his position by leveraging political influence and administrative connections. He has been accused of bypassing seniority in appointments and promotions, irregularities in project implementation, demanding money from contractors, influencing transfers and the allocation of responsibilities, and seeking bribes for processing the files of retired employees.
However, none of these allegations should be treated as proven unless established through an independent investigation, official records or a court ruling. Verification of the allegations requires examination of government documents and statements from all relevant parties.
Rapid Rise to the Top Position
According to the official DPHE website, Md. Abdul Awal is currently serving as Chief Engineer (in routine charge). He is also listed as Additional Chief Engineer (Civil Works).
According to reports published by several media outlets, Abdul Awal was given the routine charge of Chief Engineer on November 17, 2025. At the time, he was serving as Superintending Engineer (additional charge) of the Mymensingh Circle.
His appointment has raised questions within DPHE. There are allegations that several officials senior to him were bypassed when he was given charge of the top position. One report claimed that 26 officials were ahead of him in the seniority list.
However, without verifying the official seniority list, the applicable appointment rules and the complete government order, it would be inappropriate to conclusively describe the appointment as “irregular” or “illegal.”
Allegations of Crore-Taka Financial Transactions
One of the most serious allegations surrounding Abdul Awal's appointment as Chief Engineer concerns an alleged financial transaction.
Several media reports, citing sources within DPHE, have alleged that approximately Tk 5 crore was involved in securing the position of Chief Engineer. The original allegations presented for this report, however, referred to a transaction of approximately Tk 35 crore. No independent and reliable documentary evidence supporting the Tk 35 crore figure has been found. Therefore, the claim should be presented strictly as an allegation rather than as an established fact.
Some reports have also alleged financial dealings involving former Local Government Division Secretary Rezaul Maksud Jahedi. No government investigation report or court document establishing such a transaction has been found in the publicly available record. The allegation therefore requires independent verification.
Multiple Important Responsibilities
Another issue raising questions about Abdul Awal's current administrative position is his simultaneous association with several important responsibilities.
The official DPHE officers' list identifies him as Chief Engineer (in routine charge) and Additional Chief Engineer (Civil Works).
His name has also appeared in connection with the position of Superintending Engineer of the Mymensingh Circle.
The manner in which one official came to hold several important responsibilities, and the government orders under which those responsibilities were assigned, should therefore be clarified.
Questions Surrounding His Career History
According to published reports, Abdul Awal joined a GOB-DANIDA project on March 5, 1998. He subsequently moved to the revenue establishment in 2006 and was later regularized in government service. However, different reports contain some discrepancies concerning the dates and stages of his career.
His current seniority could therefore be established more conclusively by examining his original appointment documents, regularization order, gradation lists, promotion records and other relevant service documents.
In April 2026, DPHE published a draft seniority list covering 261 officials and invited objections and comments regarding the list.
Allegations of Salary and Financial Irregularities
Abdul Awal has also faced allegations concerning salary fixation and grade-related irregularities. According to complainants, discrepancies arose in the determination of his pay and grade during the transition from project employment to the revenue establishment.
However, unless an official audit report, departmental inquiry report or final financial audit document establishes such irregularities, it would be inappropriate to characterize the matter conclusively as “salary fraud.” The relevant service and financial records should first be examined to determine whether any irregularity actually occurred.
Allegations Concerning a Narayanganj Project
During Abdul Awal's tenure as Executive Engineer in Narayanganj, allegations were raised regarding irregularities in a surface water treatment plant project financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
According to complainants, the project could not be completed within the scheduled period and additional steps were subsequently required to complete unfinished work. Some contractors have alleged that during Abdul Awal's tenure they were asked to make payments and that failure to meet such demands could result in delays or deductions from their bills.
These allegations should be assessed by examining the project contract, bills and vouchers, measurement books, completion reports and relevant audit documents.
Allegations Concerning a Sylhet Project
Published reports state that Abdul Awal assumed the additional charge of Superintending Engineer of the Sylhet Circle on September 14, 2017. He was subsequently associated with the project titled “Improvement of Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Systems in Kulaura and Golapganj Pourashavas.”
Allegations have been raised concerning project implementation and the appointment of consultants. However, a complete government investigation report establishing these allegations has not been found in the publicly available material reviewed for this report.
Long Tenure in Mymensingh
Published information indicates that Abdul Awal spent a considerable period serving in important positions in his home district of Mymensingh. During this period, allegations were raised against him concerning the exercise of influence, interference in transfers and postings, favoritism, and inappropriate conduct toward officials and employees.
Whether serving in one's home district is prohibited depends on the relevant departmental transfer and posting policy and administrative orders. Therefore, any claim that such service was prohibited should be supported by the specific rules or government orders applicable at the time.
Alleged Sale of Materials Worth Nearly Tk 5.55 Crore in Noakhali
One of the most widely discussed allegations involving Abdul Awal concerns the auction of materials from a DANIDA-funded project in Noakhali.
According to published reports, pipes and construction materials valued at approximately Tk 5.55 crore were allegedly sold for only Tk 18.85 lakh. The materials were reportedly associated with a DANIDA-funded project.
Following the controversy, reports stated that Chief Engineer Abdul Awal requested the withdrawal and attachment to headquarters of Noakhali Executive Engineer Md. Saiful Islam in connection with an investigation into the matter.
However, this does not by itself establish that Abdul Awal personally misappropriated any money. Determining responsibility would require examination of the auction documents, valuation report, tender notices, approvals, identity of the purchaser and records of financial transactions.
Allegations of Bribery Involving Retired Employees
Abdul Awal has also been accused of demanding money from retired officials and employees for processing pension and post-retirement leave (PRL) files.
According to complainants, payments ranging from one lakh taka to several lakh taka were allegedly demanded for approving such files, while files of those who could not pay were allegedly kept pending for extended periods.
The alleged intelligence or internal reports referred to in connection with these claims have not been independently verified from their original copies. Therefore, the allegations should be presented as allegations rather than as findings conclusively established by an intelligence agency.
Questions Over Water Projects in Gouripur and Phulpur
Questions have also been raised over water supply projects in Mymensingh's Gouripur and Phulpur areas. Reports have alleged that approximately Tk 5 crore was spent on water supply projects, yet residents did not receive the expected service.
However, responsibility for the failure of a water supply project cannot be attributed to a particular official solely on the basis of project expenditure and poor service. A proper assessment would require examination of the project design, contractor agreements, quality of construction, water sources, equipment capacity, maintenance arrangements and post-project management.
Controversy Over Political Affiliation
Various reports have described Abdul Awal as a former Bangladesh Chhatra League activist and an official sympathetic to the Awami League. However, no reliable primary documentary evidence—such as an official organizational position, committee list or other direct evidence—has been independently verified for this report.
His alleged political affiliation should therefore be described as a claim made in various reports unless supported by credible documentary evidence.
Abdul Awal's Response
Abdul Awal has responded to allegations against him in media reports. He has said that he did not use political influence or lobbying to secure postings during his career and that the authorities considered his professional competence when assigning him the responsibility of Chief Engineer. He has also said that he performs his duties with honesty, dedication and sincerity.
His response is important and should be considered alongside the allegations when assessing the matter.
An Independent Investigation Is Needed
The emergence of multiple serious allegations against an official in a public-interest institution such as DPHE is a matter of concern. At the same time, an allegation is not the same as a proven fact. Likewise, a rapid appointment or assumption of a senior responsibility may raise legitimate administrative questions, but it does not by itself establish corruption.
An independent and impartial investigation is therefore necessary to determine the facts concerning the allegations against Abdul Awal.
In particular, investigators should examine:
All government orders relating to his appointments and assignments;
The seniority and gradation lists applicable at the relevant times;
The rules governing the appointments and additional charges;
Complete documentation relating to the Noakhali auction;
Audit objections and their disposal concerning the projects in question;
Documents relating to his salary and grade fixation;
Records concerning the processing of pension and PRL files; and
Any documentary evidence relating to the alleged financial transactions.
If any of the allegations are established through a proper investigation, those responsible should face action in accordance with the law. Conversely, if any allegation is found to be false or deliberately fabricated, appropriate action should also be considered against those responsible.
For an institution as important to public welfare as the Department of Public Health Engineering, administrative decisions should be based on transparency, merit, seniority and applicable rules. Ensuring accountability and institutional integrity is ultimately in the interest of both DPHE employees and the public it serves.