Bangladesh Technical Education Board has shown its interest in acquiring land instead of receiving a donated piece for building an educational institution in Jamalpur district.
Noor Mohammad, a resident of Bakshiganj Upazila of Jamalpur, wanted to donate his three acres of land for building a technical school and college. However, the authorities concerned are astonishingly reluctant to take the free land. They rather proceed with a plan to acquire a piece of land spending government’s money.
Locals and several insiders of the education board smell a rat in the move.
They said the authorities concerned are more interested to acquire the land than in the donated land as there remains a chance of appropriation of money in land acquisition.
Sources said the government undertook a plan to build technical schools and colleges (TSC) across the country in phases to develop skilled manpower under the supervision of Bangladesh Technical Education Board.
Under the plan, a total of 329 TSCs will be built at the upazila level across the country by 2024. The estimated cost for the implementation of the project is around Tk 20,526 crore.
Noor Mohammad, a resident of Bakshiganj Upazila, came forward with an offer to donate his 3 acres of land knowing that one of the institutions will be established in his upazila and the Directorate of Technical Education has been trying to acquire land for it.
His land, adjacent to a road of Roads and Highways Department, is just 2.5 kilometers away from the upazila headquarters.
Noor Mohammad sent an application to the Secretary of Technical and Madrasah Education Division under the education ministry on June 8 expressing his interest in donating the land. However, paying no heed to the application, the authorities are looking for acquiring another piece of land spending government’s money.
Asked, director of 329 TSC construction project told a Bengali daily, “After an investigation, I’ve suggested taking the donated land and sent a letter to the ministry.”
“The location of the land is convenient. Moreover, what is just needed is the registration cost for the donated land. No other cost is needed. It takes more time and money for acquiring any land. We could have completed the registration of the land had we received the green light from the ministry. I am going on retirement at December-end. Then, someone else will see the matter,” he added.
It was learnt that there was a recommendation from the project office to accept the donation -- land and pond. But, a different committee, being influenced by the local MP, advised acquiring another piece of land instead of taking the donated land, where there is a pond.
According to experts, the highest estimated cost of filling the pond would be Tk 20 lakh. On the other hand, around Tk 7 to 7.5 crore might be needed for acquiring a 3-acre suitable land.
