Bulbul Ahmed, Natore

A government scheme aiming at generating income and ensuring food security for the rural poor has plunged into corruption and irregularities in Natore.

Around Tk 2 crore was allocated in the 2020-2021 fiscal year to implement 71 small projects in Natore Sadar upazila under the “Kajer Binimoye Taka” or “Work for Money” scheme.

However, depriving the poor of income, money has allegedly been embezzled with no concrete evidence of where a majority of the funds were spent and no hiring of locals in many project areas. In some cases, machinery was used at the expense of labourers.

Locals raised allegations that such corruption took place through underhanded dealings with some peoples’ representatives and government officials, who deny any wrongdoing.

The authorities concerned turned a blind eye to the misdeeds, saying only now they will investigate allegations of corruption.

Usually, a committee is formed at the upazila level to implement such projects. Locally influential people and politicians along with members and the chairman of the local union parishad are included in the committee.

The committee oversees the work under the supervision of the project implementation officer, local upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), lawmakers, and the upazila parishad chairman.

The programme, under the disaster management and relief ministry, was originally undertaken to create jobs for villagers during the traditionally lean monsoon season, when work opportunities are thin and food falls short in rural homes.