Tender vandalism by ruling party men in Rajshahi

This has increased the project cost to Tk 22.16 crore from Tk 18 crore as the re-tendering was done at a rate seven percent higher than the first tender.

All these were done following alleged threats and intimidation to "drop genuine construction firms and distribute the works among the privileged contractors", said a WDB seeking anonymity.

"Tender vandalism is not new here, but WDB officials did gross irregularities in distributing the works among BNP leaders", he said.

"Tenders schedules were not properly checked, tender papers were not sold to WDB contractors outside Rajshahi and unqualified construction farms were given the works", he said.

A high official of WDB told The Daily Star that they were "threatened by the BNP leaders and forced by ruling party lawmakers to do the irregularities".

He also alleged that some WDB officials were also beaten for their stand to remain righteous in the tender process. The works were distributed on June 8.

Those who got the works include Paradise Traders, Khondokar Construction, AB Construction, M/S Imtiaz Ahmed Samshul Huda, Usha Construction and some individuals.

Post and Telecommunication Minister Aminul Haque inaugurated the project work on June 11.

The first tender was floated on February 29. A total of 537 construction farms from different areas of the country had submitted schedules by March 28. Experienced and qualified firms were selected after scrutiny.

But names of selected firms and contractors could not be declared for 20 days as armed musclemen of BNP leaders staged a showdown on WDB office premises.

Some BNP leaders along with their contractors and musclemen ransacked and damaged some office rooms after names of selected contractors were declared on April 20. Senior officials could not attend office for 20 days because of threat. The musclemen virtually laid a siege to the office for seven days, sources alleged.

Later, on April 25, the tender was cancelled and a fresh tender was floated on April 27. About one thousand contractors bought schedules but only 116 submitted their schedules.

It was learnt that some BNP leaders negotiated the works with contractors by distributing Tk 5 crore works among them.

Forty schedules with alleged flaws, submitted by BNP leaders or their men were not cancelled during scrutiny, the sources said.

Only firms which had experience of doing work involving amounts up to Tk one crore in the last five years were invited to bid. But this criterion was not followed during scrutiny, the sources claimed.

A top BNP leader in the district was given several works though he had no experience as was sought in the tender, the sources claimed.

When contacted, WDB Executive Engineer Habibullah said the authorities have nothing to do if contractors negotiate work outside the office.

Chief engineer Abdul Malek Mia, claimed by many to be involved in the irregularities, denied the allegations and said government instructions were followed during tender process.