City development authority, RAJUK, took an initiative to construct a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and for this, Tk 5 million was allotted in the 2017-2018 budget. But after a new chairman took over, the amended budget was brought down to only Tk 100,000.
RAJUK does not know why the funds were removed from here.
Concerned officials say that the funds were removed to prevent the construction of the mural.
Deputy assistant engineer of RAJUK, Md Al Amin, says: “We strongly demanded that the mural be placed in front of RAJUK building. Initially, the allotment was Tk 5 million which was mysteriously slashed to Tk 100,000 only.”
“We filed written complaints and wrote to the chairman but to no avail,” he said.
RAJUK’s former chairman, M Bazlul Karim Chaudhury says: “I kept an allotment as chairman but do not want to comment on the matter anymore.”
In 2016, the then chairman, M Bazlul Karim Chowdhury, took the initiative to establish a mural and earmarked Tk 5 million for the purpose.
After he left, Abdur Rahman, an additional secretary level official was appointed in his place and it’s believed he altered the budget provisions.
Abdur Rahman’s tenure ended in May 2019 and additional secretary Sultan Ahmed took over. But the allotment was not increased.
Housing and works minister, SM Rezaul Karim, said: “I am not aware of the matter but will talk to RAJUK chairman.”
Meanwhile, RAJUK chairman, Sultan Ahmed, observes: “The minister has asked us to find how the allotment came down from Tk 5 million to Tk 100,000.”