A government-funded Shantinibas built to provide shelter and care for vulnerable women aged 60 and above has remained locked for more than three years in Lalmonirhat, leaving equipment worth over Tk1 crore at risk of deterioration.
The modern residential facility, built at a cost of Tk8cr on the premises of the Government Children’s Family (Girls) on College Road in Lalmonirhat town, has yet to accommodate a single resident.
Despite having residential facilities, modern amenities and medical equipment, the 25-bed home has not opened because of staff shortages and administrative complications. The building’s electricity supply has also been disconnected over unpaid bills, adding to concerns about the deterioration of its unused facilities.
The project, implemented by the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare, began on 16 August 2022. After construction was completed, the Public Works Department formally handed over the building to the district social services office on 30 August 2023.
A recent visit to the Shantinibas found every room locked, with the premises deserted and silent. With no electricity, the entire building appeared abandoned.
According to project sources, the facility was designed to provide accommodation and modern care for 25 elderly women. It has 25 modern bedrooms, a well-equipped dining area, a lift and a gymnasium. Medical equipment and physiotherapy machines were also installed to support residents’ healthcare needs.
However, the facilities remain unused, with dust accumulating on the equipment. The contract for the operation and maintenance of the lift has also expired, potentially exposing the government to further financial losses.
Since the building was handed over, no dedicated staff have been appointed to operate it. The authorities of the Government Children’s Family (Girls) in Lalmonirhat are currently providing only nominal oversight of the premises.
Mosammat Hawa Begum, deputy superintendent of the Government Children’s Family in Lalmonirhat, said the facility could not accommodate elderly women despite being equipped with modern amenities, primarily because of a shortage of necessary staff.
Residents and civil society representatives have expressed anger over what they describe as the waste and neglect of a substantial amount of public money.
Abu Hasnat Rana, vice-president of the Lalmonirhat district committee of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), said leaving a public welfare project worth nearly Tk8 crore locked and unused amounted to gross irresponsibility.
He said an initiative intended to provide shelter to vulnerable and neglected elderly people was on the verge of failure because of administrative delays. He called for immediate measures to protect the equipment worth crores of taka.
Acknowledging the administrative and bureaucratic complications, Md Fazlul Haque, deputy director of the Lalmonirhat District Social Services Office, said the facility had not opened after its handover mainly because of a shortage of staff.
He said the process of securing approval for the required posts was under way at the ministry. Efforts were being made to complete the remaining work and administrative formalities and open the Shantinibas as soon as possible.
