Despite human chains and memorandums submitted to the chief advisor against various irregularities in the construction of a submerged dam to protect Boro crops in the Netrakona Haor-dominated district, corruption has not stopped. Farmers are claiming that 70 percent of the work has been completed, while the dam construction is ongoing.
On the ground, it is seen that farmers and people living along the haor have demanded an investigation into various irregularities in the renovation of 147 kilometers of submerged dams in 119 schemes to protect 41,000 hectares of Boro crops from early floods in the haors.
Irregularities appeared in the list of PICs’ names at the beginning of the dam construction project, in collusion with officials in charge of the Water Development Board.
There are also allegations of taking advance money from PICs. 191 dam renovation works are underway in Netrokona district. Of these, 121 are in Khaliajuri upazila, 23 in Madan upazila, 27 in Mohanganj upazila, 13 in Kalmakanda upazila, and 2 in Atpara upazila. There have been irregularities and looting in the construction of dams. Although the names of PICs are on the list, they have not been found working.
An unplanned dam has been built. Instead of soil, sand has been added to the dam. Grass has not been planted along the side of the dam. Not a single work of the dam size has been completed with soil.
PICs have been given additional pay based on the work performed.
Irregularities have been committed at the beginning of the PIC and project list for the construction of crop protection dams in haors as per the rules of the Water Development Board.
The dam work was supposed to be completed by February 28th.
The authorities have not been able to complete the dam work as of April 5. Yet they say the haor work has been completed.
Based on the information on the construction of crop protection dams, evidence of widespread irregularities and corruption by contractors, officials in charge, and PICs has emerged.
Mohanganj Upazila Tetulia Union Submerged Dam Breach Closing PIC President Abdul Haque Talukder, Submerged Dam Breach Closing PIC No. 1 Md. Sarwar Jahan, Char Haijda Sub-Project 2 PIC President Md. Mokaram Hossain, Jainpur Notun Bazar to Nawagaon Dam No. 3 PIC Chhonu Mia. Char Haijda Sub-Project 6 PIC No. 6 Md. Liton Mia.
Hridoy Mia is the PIC president for the construction of the submerged dam at Asadpur Godara Ghat and Maya Char from Khaliyajuri Lipsa Launch Ghat.
Netrokona Kalmakanda Upadakhali Sub-Project, PIC President Md. Hasen Ali. Barhatta Upazila Singhar Bill Sub-Project, PIC No. (1) President Md. Anwar Hossain. Mohanganj Upazila Charhaizda Dam Sub-Project Breach Closing President Aminul Haque Agur. Khaliajuri Upazila FCD Project Polder PAEC President Elahi Mia, PIC No. (1) Khaliajuri Chunai Crop Protection Dam PIC No. (22) President Prithish Ranjan Sarkar, Khaliajuri Upazila FDC Project Ponder (1) PIC President Kiran Sarkar. Khaliajuri Polder No. (2) 1 PIC President Md. Abdul Karim, 2 PIC President Md. Faisal Ahmed, 3 PIC President Paulin Talukder, PIC President Abdus Salam, PIC President Saiful Islam, PIC President Md. Akter Hossain, and 7 other PICs are working.
Besides, there are irregularities in every work of Madan Upazila of the district. Out of the list of hundreds of corruptions in the dam work, only a few have been highlighted. All the corruptions will be revealed if an investigation is conducted. It was learnt from the farmers that someone from the District Water Development Board office is claiming that the work has been completed by sitting in the office without monitoring the work on the ground.
However, one dam was not constructed properly. It is seen that the PIC presidents stopped the work 15 days ago. If the haor is submerged, disaster will befall the common people across the country. There will be a food shortage. There will be crop losses worth thousands of crores of taka in the haor. The water level of the dam has increased in the Dhanu River, and any time there may be an incident where the water level in the haor rises.
If the remaining work is not completed quickly, a major accident could occur in the haor.
On 9-3-2025, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Advisor through the District Commissioner on behalf of the District People’s Rights Council against corruption and irregularities in dam work. In addition, a human chain was held in front of the Netrokona Central Shaheed Minar on 1-3-2025 at the initiative of the Netrokona District Haor Bachao Andolan Committee against corruption and irregularities. Even after this, corruption in dam work has not stopped. There is no information that any office is investigating this.
On the ground, it is seen that the water level in the Dhanu River has increased. An incident like water entering the haor can happen at any time.
If the remaining work is not completed quickly, a major accident will occur in the haor. This has been demanded by the leaders of the Haor Bachao Andolan Committee and the District Public Rights Council.
The Haor people demand that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigate the dam construction work and take legal action against the culprits. A transparent and impartial investigation against irregularities and corruption in the construction of the dam to protect the farmers’ desired dream of Boro crops will reveal the picture of corruption.
Regarding this, Sarwar Jahan, Executive Director of the District Water Development Board and Member Secretary of the District PIC Committee, said that he will visit Mohanganj Upazila on the 7th and inspect the PIC projects on the ground, and that a committee has been formed to inspect all the PIC projects.
He also said that no one can earn a single Tk without working.
