Political rift stalls 75 million taka development projects in Jhalakathi
Photo Collected
A deepening political rift between Jhalakathi District Council Administrator Shahadat Hossain and two local members of parliament has stalled the implementation of 417 development projects, leaving approximately 7.5 million taka in allocated funds in limbo. The projects, intended for the 2025-26 fiscal year, remain frozen as the Local Government Ministry awaits resolution on a procedural dispute.
The conflict reached the ministry in late June when Jhalakathi-1 MP Rafiqul Islam Jamal and Jhalakathi-2 MP Israt Sultana Ilen Bhutto submitted a joint letter protesting the district council’s project selection process. The lawmakers argued that the administrator bypassed them entirely, failing to consult or coordinate on the development initiatives as required by law. They requested that the ministry suspend the council’s current activities until proper alignment is established.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The 417 projects—distributed across Jhalakathi Sadar, Nalchity, Rajapur, and Kathalia—include infrastructure improvements for religious and educational institutions, furniture procurement, road repairs, and the installation of tube wells. According to district council records, 175 projects are slated for Sadar, 173 for Nalchity, 43 for Rajapur, and 25 for Kathalia.
Citing the District Council Act of 2000 and subsequent 2022 guidelines, the Local Government Ministry intervened on July 7, instructing the administrator to ensure that development projects are coordinated with local MPs, who serve as ex-officio advisors to the council. While the MPs maintain that their recommendations were ignored or arbitrarily discarded, Administrator Shahadat Hossain contends that the list already incorporates several proposals submitted by the lawmakers. He specifically noted that some of MP Ilen Bhutto’s requests fell within municipal jurisdictions, where the district council lacks the legal mandate to execute work.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Local political sources suggest that the administrative deadlock is a symptom of a long-standing power struggle between the MPs and the administrator. As of mid-July, no formal mediation or consultation process has been initiated to resolve the standoff.
District Council Executive Officer Imran Shahriar confirmed that the fate of the 7.5 million taka allocation rests on a successful reconciliation. Without administrative approval from the central government, the council cannot issue tenders or commence construction. If the stalemate persists, the ministry will ultimately decide whether the earmarked funds will be forfeited.
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