Chattogram: Allegations of abuse of power, tender manipulation, fake attendance, embezzlement of millions of taka and acquisition of illegal wealth have been raised against Chattogram Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) Managing Director (MD) Mizanur Rahman, master operator and CBA leader Ariful Islam, General Manager (GM) of the Production Department Uttam Chowdhury, and Chief Engineer (Mechanical) and Head of the MTS Department Md. Shahjahan Kabir.
The allegations include claims that the four officials have formed an influential group and have been involved in widespread irregularities, corruption and financial misappropriation at the state-owned fertilizer factory in Anwara, Chattogram.
Recently, CUFL officials and employees submitted a written complaint to the Deputy Director of the Chattogram Divisional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), seeking immediate legal action against those accused.
According to the complaint, CUFL MD Mizanur Rahman allegedly violated the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) guidelines and invited a tender through a manual process. A project estimated to cost around Tk 1.5 crore was allegedly being awarded to a preferred contractor for approximately Tk 2.5 crore. The complaint claims that the move could have caused an attempted loss of around Tk 80 lakh to the government.
Following media reports on the issue, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) reportedly cancelled the tender. A fresh tender was subsequently invited through the e-GP system, resulting in savings of approximately Tk 57 lakh for the government, according to the complaint.
The complaint also contains allegations against Md. Shahjahan Kabir, Chief Engineer (Mechanical) and Head of the MTS Department. It alleges that electricity connections have been provided to businesses and residential buildings in areas surrounding the factory and that large sums of money are being collected every month through the arrangement. The complaint further alleges that Shahjahan Kabir has accumulated substantial assets through irregular and corrupt practices and has purchased large areas of land in his home district.
Other allegations include showing vehicles from the inactive transport pool as operational and submitting false fuel expenditure claims. The complaint also alleges that electricity and fuel were sold through unauthorised channels even when the factory was shut down, generating substantial sums of money every month.
The complainants further alleged that, with the backing of MD Mizanur Rahman, master operator and CBA leader Ariful Islam had remained absent from his workplace for nearly two years while continuing to draw salary and allowances from the government exchequer.
It was also alleged that backdated signatures were entered into the attendance register to conceal his absence and that documents showing casual leave were subsequently prepared.
The complaint further alleges that CBA elections at the factory have not been held since 2022, depriving ordinary workers of their democratic rights. It claims that a so-called pocket committee was formed with selected individuals to suppress protests against corruption.
The complainants have also alleged that the accused individuals accumulated substantial wealth through corrupt practices.
Allegations over Sale of CUFL-Generated Electricity
Information cited in the complaint indicates that electricity generated at CUFL's captive power plant is allegedly being supplied to shops and residential buildings in the adjacent market in violation of applicable rules.
The supply is reportedly being provided without approval from the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), raising questions about the legality of the electricity sales.Local residents claim that more than 100 shops and residential premises in Rangadia Bazar in Anwara have been using electricity generated by CUFL for a long period. According to them, electricity bills amounting to several lakh taka are collected every month from these connections. There are also allegations that some consumers have continued using electricity despite having outstanding bills.
The allegations in this regard have also been directed at CUFL MD Mizanur Rahman, master operator Ariful Islam and Production Department GM Uttam Chowdhury.
According to the complaint, three meters have been used to obtain electricity connections from CUFL, after which electricity has allegedly been supplied to various shops and residential premises in the market. The complainants allege that an organised group has been collecting several lakh taka every month ।