In the quiet compound of Uttargram Union Parishad in Mahadevpur upazila, Naogaon, concrete pillars have sprung up alongside piles of iron rods, stone chips, and two varieties of sand.
Yet, this multi-storey building project, estimated to cost nearly Tk50 lakh, was initiated without securing necessary administrative approval, a sanctioned design, or conducting a formal tender process.
The unauthorised construction was brought to a halt following direct intervention by Manjura Musharraf, upazila executive officer (UNO).
The urgency behind the unapproved venture stems from a crumbling, long-standing structure on the parishad grounds that houses the local branch of Krishi Bank.
Because the old building poses severe safety risks, bank authorities were making plans to relocate the branch elsewhere.
Desperate to retain vital banking services in the locality, residents including Rubayet Kabir Hridoy expressed a strong desire for a new facility to keep the bank within the premises.
Local discussions suggested that the ground floor of the proposed building would accommodate Grameen Bank, while the upper floor would house Krishi Bank.
Masons, deals, and opaque estimates
On-site inspection revealed that several structural pillars had already been cast for the proposed 1,200-square-foot building.
Kuddus, president of Uttargram Union Chhatra Dal, explained that his group had taken up the responsibility of supplying masons and labourers under a Tk3 lakh contract with the chairman, with building materials supplied directly by the chairman.
Kuddus added that although the initial deal covered 1,200 square feet, talk of expanding the footprint to 1,800 square feet would require a fresh contract.
While the head mason estimated that constructing the 1,200-square-foot structure would cost between Tk35 lakh and Tk40 lakh, those involved lacked a complete breakdown of the total expenditure.
The lack of transparency around the project’s funding and procedure has raised significant concerns among local residents and political figures.
A local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader, who identified himself as a contractor, pointed out that undertaking construction on government property without a competitive bidding process violates established rules.
Meanwhile, Saidur, a union parishad member, noted that while a new facility for Krishi Bank is necessary, he believed the project was being funded through lease revenue from local ponds and the chairman’s personal funds, though no official budget was set.
Remarkably, Golam Rabbani Mollick, secretary of the union parishad, was reportedly unaware of the ongoing construction taking place on the parishad grounds.
Personal funding meets administrative prohibition
When questioned about the matter, Abu Hasan, chairman of Uttargram Union Parishad, claimed that he embarked on the construction in the public interest using his own personal money, as no government allocation had been received.
He insisted that no public funds were utilised and invited verification of his personal expenditure.
When pressed further on the legality of spending personal funds to erect a structure on state land, the chairman expressed annoyance and said he could not answer every query.
Clarifying the official administrative position, Manjura Musharraf, upazila executive officer (UNO) of Mahadevpur, explained that no final approval or financial allocation had been granted for the construction.
She said while a project resolution had been passed, required elements such as technical designs, cost estimates, and tender or quotation selections remain pending regulatory approval.
She emphasised that state regulations strictly prohibit private funding for unauthorised construction on government property, adding that starting work prior to official sanction was improper.
Consequently, the administration ordered an immediate suspension of all work, clarifying that while a new building is indeed required for Krishi Bank, it must be constructed strictly in compliance with official procedures.
