A piece of tin-sheet now costs Tk1 lakh
Tk71 lakh allegedly embezzled from APBn-6 renovation project in Khagrachhari
A piece of tin-sheet costs Tk1 lakh – more than 100 times the current market price. This must be the most expensive tin-sheet in the world.
The contracting firm Mishu Enterprise spent Tk14 lakh on only two tin-sheet bundles.
Plus, the total fund of Armed Police Battalion-6's (APBn-6) 10 renovation project had been withdrawn saying that the work was done within 20 days.
Allegations have been made against Mahbub Hasan, former APBn-6 battalion commander and now superintended of police (SP) of Madaripur district.
Denying the allegations, Mahbub passed the blame on to APBn-6 Deputy Commander and also the project implementation committee member Mohammad Shahnewaz Khaled, who submitted a report on the irregularities in the 10 renovation projects.
The project work includes repair and overhauling and setting-up two module tents, said sources.
Mahbub made a work order of Tk71 lakh, in Khagrachhari's Mahalchori, for contract work, while he was in charge.
Only 15 percent of the work had been done in four months.
Three months after the project had kick-started, its total fund was withdrawn without completing the work, said Shahnewaz's note of dissent.
The Police Headquarters made a work order of Tk46 lakh for seven repair or renovation work, on March 1, 2018.
The order included setting-up of two module tents worth Tk11.5 lakh and construction of drain worth Tk14 lakh.
The repair or renovation of APBn-6's assistant commander's bungalow, force ration store, two semi-pucca force barracks, two inspector quarters, and a 15-bed semi-pucca hospital for the force was also in the order.
None of the seven repair or renovation projects had been completed properly, said sources.
Tk14 lakh was allocated for the force barracks but the contracting firm used only two tin-sheet bundles for that. Tk 11lakh was allocated for two module tents.
For the bungalow of the deputy commander, the Police Headquarters sent air conditioners (AC). To save wiring and technician costs, the responsible authority did not install the ACs.
The ACs lies unsued at the force barrack storeroom now.
Tk14 lakh was allocated for construction of a 24-inch drain. But only a 6-inch drain was built.
Mahbub certified that 100 percent of project work had been completed, only after 22 days of kick-starting it.
The APBN accountant Ratan withdrew Tk46 lakh and gave it to Mishu Enterprise owner Md Jasim and Mahbub. Both of them were in the same room at that time.
Rest of the project fund was also withdrawn later.
After four months, a report on project implementation said only 15 percent of work had been done. Next month, another report said only 25 percent of work had been done.
Shahnewaz submitted a note of dissent, on December 10, citing irregularities and corruption in the renovation work. He also attached video and photograph of the irregularities.
Backdating the formation of the monitoring committee, Mahbub made another person its member secretary.
Next, the Police Headquarters started investigating into the corruption and irregularities in project implementation.
Asked about the corruption and irregularities Jasim said: "I worked as I had been instructed." He also requested not to publish this report.
Shahnewaz, in his report, detailed the irregularities of Mishu Enterprise and suggested to blacklist it.
But Abdur Rahim, current APBN-6 commander, did not blacklist the firm which continues to work, this year too.
"Shahnewaz demanded money from the contracting firm. Failing that he made allegations," said Abdur.
However, he did not say anything about taking action against the contracting firm.
After the allegation was made, a Police Headquarters team visited the spot, said Mahbub. He also requested to enquire about Shahnewaz.
When contacted, the Police Headquarters declined to make any comment about the allegations.