Student leaders at Jahangirnagar University (JU) have defied university orders by continuing to renovate a campus playfield, even though the administration suspended the project over allegations of tender irregularities.
The work on the playfield next to Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore Hall is being carried out under the instructions of hall student union’s vice-president (VP) and general secretary (GS).
On Thursday, the university administration suspended renovation project worth Tk731,000, which came after allegations surfaced that the contract was awarded to an unlicensed contractor without any tender process, violating Public Procurement Rules (PPR).
A four-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the claims and must submit its findings within 15 working days. However, an on-site visit around 12pm on Friday showed that work was still going on in full swing.
A bulldozer was seen levelling the ground, a tractor was dumping soil, and several labourers were working with spades and baskets. The work, which started in the morning, continued until at least 4pm.
When asked about the situation, JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Kamrul Ahsan said, “The work will remain suspended during the investigation. Following the probe, the work will be completed quickly. Those responsible for the irregularities must be identified and held accountable. This is the final decision.”
Meanwhile, Tagore Hall student union VP Amit Banik defended the continuation of the work.
“The students of the hall support keeping the field renovation work going, which is why it is ongoing. The administration cannot stop the renovation work of the field without valid reasons,” he said.
Hall Provost Professor Mohammad Safiqul Islam said he had instructed the contractor to stop the work and remove the equipment after receiving the administration’s notice.
“Yesterday, after receiving the university administration’s notice, I instructed the contractor to stop the work and remove the equipment from the site. I am not aware that the work is continuing. I will know whether students are putting pressure on the contractor to continue the work when I go to the hall,” he said.
