Unbridled irregularities and rampant corruption are ongoing at the Kahrol upazila Barind Office in Dinajpur. Thousands of farmers, who are service seekers for 173 deep tubewells, allege that Assistant Engineer Ranjan Kumar Roy stays away from his workplace and runs the office from Dinajpur city. Meanwhile, his storekeeper, Masud Rana, is extorting money from the farmers under the guise of providing pipeline connections, taking nearly double the government fee.
According to the allegations, Assistant Engineer Ranjan Kumar Roy does not reside at his workplace. He commutes daily from Dinajpur city, traveling nearly 30 kilometers to the Kaharol office. His office vehicle makes four round trips daily from the Ten Mile area, being used solely for his personal transportation. This results in a daily fuel cost of at least one thousand taka for the Barind Office, which is a severe misuse of government funds.
The farmers allege that Storekeeper Masud Rana, who is the trusted aide of Assistant Engineer Ranjan Kumar Roy, is taking bribes of 40 to 45 thousand taka instead of the government fee of 20 thousand taka for providing pipeline connections for the 173 deep tubewells.
Kawser, the operator of deep tubewell K-21, stated that for a 590-meter underground pipeline, Sub-Assistant Engineer Masud Rana took 40 thousand taka, whereas the deposit required was only 20 thousand taka. Sonamia, the operator of deep tubewell K-96, claimed that she paid Masud Rana 35 thousand taka for a 500-meter pipeline but only received a receipt for 15 thousand taka. Mosharraf, the operator of Kazikatta deep tubewell (K-131), said with frustration that 40 thousand taka was taken for a 2000-foot pipeline.
When contacted in his office room regarding these serious allegations, Assistant Engineer Ranjan Kumar Roy made extremely arrogant remarks. When asked for proof of corruption, he said, "Provide proof of the bribe, give it in writing, then action can be taken."
Regarding his absence from the workplace, he said, "My residence is 30 km away from Kaharol upazila, it's easy to commute. Where I take my car is my business. I am not here to give explanations to anyone." Making further controversial comments on the misuse of office funds and corruption, he stated, "Nothing happens by writing in the newspaper. If the higher-ups are okay, then everything is okay."
The local farmers and operators of the 173 deep tubewells have collectively demanded a swift and impartial investigation against these corrupt individuals. Hoping for the attention of the higher authorities of the government, they say that due to these irregularities and corrupt practices, the farmers are being deprived of desired services and are facing severe financial losses.
