At least three unnecessary projects were taken in the name ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members. These projects approved only for political gain without checking the real needs of the people and the implementation capacity of the government.
These projects were included in the Annual Development Program (ADP) and Tk 3,417 crore was allocated from the state fund.
The three projects are- Sheikh Hasina University, Netrokona, Sheikh Zahurul Haque Rural Development Academy, Jessore and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theater, Khulna.
It is informed that the interim government has decided to cancel three “unnecessary” projects. These projects will be presented for cancellation at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on Monday.
Confirming this issue, a senior government official said: “The Planning Ministry and implementing agencies are trying to identify and cancel those unnecessary and politically influenced projects.
If the three projects are cancelled, the government will save Tk 2,744 crore.
On 11th October, 2018, then prime minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the university that named after her in Netrokona through a video conference. Later, an ECNEC meeting approved Tk 2,637.40 crore.
Currently, the academic and administrative activities of the university are being carried out at the Technical Training Center.
ECNEC on 19th April, 2022 approved “Sheikh Zahurul Haque Rural Development Academy, Jessore” project as it was named after Hasina’s grandfather Sheikh Zahurul Haque. Its cost is estimated at Tk 198.95 crore.
Officials said that the decision to close the academy in Jessore was taken in a meeting with the Project Evaluation Committee of the Planning Commission's Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division.
The decision of canceling the project came after a meeting with the Agriculture, Water Resources, and Rural Institutions Division of the Planning Commission of Project Evaluation Committee (PEC).
The concerned officials said: “The reality check is a must to ensure projects effectiveness. The situation could be avoided if a proper assessment of the results and the best use of the invested money were done before taking up such a project.”
They said that the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division should review the projects of establishing development academies, training academies or similar institutions implemented earlier.
The “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theater, Khulna” project was approved on 6th October, 2022 with an estimated cost of Tk 553.84 crore. Although the project was supposed to be completed by 31st December of this year, there has been no visible progress.
Dr Mustafa K Mujeri, former director of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), said: “During the previous government, project approval and funding were made easier by using the names of Hasina’s family members, which ruined the opportunity to utilize resources.”
He called for identifying and canceling politically influenced projects and ensuring accountability of those involved in starting these projects.
Translated by Afsar Munna
