Jamalpur Local Government Projects Plagued by Millions in Fraud and Non-Existent Works
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A sprawling investigation into public development funds across seven sub-districts in Jamalpur has uncovered systemic irregularities, with millions of takas misappropriated through phantom projects and incomplete infrastructure work. An audit of 538 projects funded under the Annual Development Program (ADP) for the 2024-25 fiscal year reveals that at least 42 projects exist only on paper, while another 38 were left unfinished despite funds being fully disbursed.
According to a report, the mismanagement occurred largely during a period of administrative transition following the political upheaval of August 2024. With many elected local representatives absent or in hiding, local administrations—led by sub-district executive officers (UNOs)—wielded unchecked authority. During this window, 279 of the 538 projects were implemented via Project Implementation Committees (PICs), a mechanism that bypasses the formal tender process for small-scale works, often lacking the rigorous oversight required for larger contracts.
In one instance in the Bakshiganj sub-district, 400,000 taka was allocated for a “Children’s Care School” that local authorities confirmed does not exist. The former Bakshiganj UNO claimed the funds were diverted to purchase sports equipment for other schools, though such redirection contradicts standard financial regulations. Similar patterns were identified in Melandah, where project documents claimed 150,000 taka had been spent on computer supplies and road repairs, only for local officials and union members to testify that no such work occurred or that equipment was never delivered.
The investigation further highlighted the “paper-only” nature of development in areas like Madarganj, where 700,000 taka was allegedly spent on IT equipment for freelancers. No evidence of the hardware was found at the designated sites, and officials responsible for the sector at the time had no record of the procurement. In other instances, such as the construction of a garage at the Islampur sub-district complex, an eight-car-capacity structure was documented as an eight-lakh-taka project, despite visible evidence suggesting a significantly lower expenditure for the makeshift open-air shelter provided.
The scale of the alleged malfeasance extends to social and educational programs. In Jamalpur Sadar, over 5.5 million taka was allocated for student support, including bicycle distribution and educational materials. However, interviews with headmasters at 48 schools revealed that 35 of those institutions received no aid whatsoever, while others reported receiving only nominal, unrelated items.
While former UNOs implicated in the oversight of these projects have denied wrongdoing—frequently citing that they relied on certifications provided by Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) engineers—the LGED has deflected responsibility. Executive engineers in Jamalpur stated that the funds were handled directly by sub-district councils and that their role was merely consultative.
Anti-corruption advocates have called for an immediate, independent inquiry into the use of these funds. Jahangir Salim, general secretary of the Jamalpur district branch of the Corruption Prevention Committee, stated that the concentration of power in the hands of UNOs during the latter half of 2024 created an environment ripe for exploitation, necessitating strict accountability for those who facilitated the disappearance of public resources.
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