Irregularities in Tk one cr expenditure alleged

Many teachers and student leaders talking to The Daily Star on Thursday demanded that details of the expenditures and sources of money be made public.

Sources said Tk one crore was spent for the celebrations that concluded on Tuesday.

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They alleged that all works for the celebration were done through 'secret tenders' without any open bidding.

The fountain of the Golden Tower, erected in front of the administrative building at a cost of Tk 15 lakh to mark the occasion, went out of order on the second day of its inauguration by the Prime Minister, they said.

The authorities showed that they spent Tk 6 lakh in publishing 5000 copies of souvenirs, but the sources claimed that the costs were shown doubly higher than actual.

Official sources said, the souvenirs were printed from Rajshahi Uttaran Press following bidding by Bengal Press, Shaheen Press and Uttaran Press. But when contacted, owners of Bengal Press and Shaheen Press denied their involvement in the bidding.

The university authorities showed Tk 5 lakh expenditure for "colouring" some buildings on the campus. The sources claimed that only visible portions of the buildings were coloured.

Nearly 5000 bags were given to participants. The authorities shown that each bag cost Tk 270 while the sources claimed that such bags were available in the market at Tk 180 each.

The authorities said 5000 launch packets were given to

participants at a cost of Tk 110 each. They sources claimed that the launch packets should not cost more than Tk 80 each.

Progressive Teachers' Group Convenor Prof Entajul Haque said, "The authorities should let us know where they spent the budgeted money and how".

Prof Sayen Uddin Ahmed of Rajshahi University Teachers' Association said the authorities "must clarify the expenditure" as the university is burdened with a deficit of Tk 22 crore.

Motiar Rahman, president of RU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, ruling BNP's student front, told a group of newsmen that they also sense "mismanagement and irregularities" in the expenditure.

"The persons responsible should be brought to book for the irregularities", he said demanding a probe into the expenditure.

Former RU student Rabeya Khatun, now a 48-year old housewife, who came from Bagerhat said she and two of her friends came with families with great enthusiasm to attend the celebration.

"We are returning with despair. We spoiled money by for visiting Rajshahi University (this time)".

Rabeya's friend Dolly was not that pessimistic. "Our jubilation was limited to meeting old friends. It would have been more enjoyable had all our teachers joined the celebration".

A large number of teachers and students boycotted the celebrations, alleging politicisation of the celebration committees.

Students' Advisor Prof Rafiqul Islam, one of the organisers, however denied the allegations.

On the demand for scrutiny of expenditures, he said, "We will make public the entire expenditure soon".

Prof Sadequl Islam, another celebration committee member, said, "We are proud that the celebrations concluded successfully.

"The allegations against the authorities are mere propaganda," he said replying to questions by this correspondent.