Mymensingh: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today launched a drive at Mymensingh City Corporation (MCC) to investigate corruption allegations in separate projects. A special team of the ACC from its headquarters went to the corporation at about 10.30am following an allegation submitted by Ali Ahmed, a resident of CK Ghosh Road area of the town, that the contractors, in collaboration with some corporation officials, withdrew extra money without completing ongoing projects, including road development and drainage network and improvement of civic services.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Assistant Director (AD) of the ACC Raju Md Sarwar Hossain told journalists that they found irregularities in implementing a project for the construction of drains and roads at Amlapara, Brahmma Pallai, and Baghmara areas involving Taka 2.78 crore. On December 7, 2020, the government allocated Taka 1,575 crore for the improvement of civic services of the corporation, aiming to complete some projects within December last year, but only 45 percent of the work was completed within the stipulated time, the ACC AD said.
Due to the delay in implementing those projects, public sufferings have been mounting. The estimated budget has already increased, local people alleged, adding that the Chief Engineer of the corporation, Rafiqul Islam, paid bills to the contractors despite substandard work. He was a close associate of the sacked mayor of the corporation, Ekramul Haque Titu.
The ACC officials said that further investigation will be carried out to unearth the corruption.