JU field renovation goes on despite admin order to halt work

A day after Jahangirnagar University (JU) administration ordered the suspension of renovation work at the playground adjacent to Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore Hall, workers were found continuing the work on Friday, allegedly on the instructions of the hall union’s Vice-President (VP) Amit Banik and General Secretary (GS) Mahmudul Hasan Emon.

A visit to the site around noon found a bulldozer levelling the field, while tractors were bringing in soil. Several workers were also seen moving soil with spades and baskets.

The university’s Public Relations Office announced the temporary suspension of the work in a press release on Thursday.

According to the press release, the decision followed allegations that the work had been awarded to an unlicensed contractor without a tender, in violation of the Public Procurement Rules (PPR). The university also formed a four-member probe committee, headed by Prof Dr Mahbub Kabir, to investigate the allegations and submit its report within 15 working days.

Prof Dr Mohammad Safiqul Islam, provost of Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore Hall, said he had instructed the contractor to stop the work and remove the equipment after receiving the administration’s notice.

“Yesterday, after receiving the university administration’s notice, I instructed the contractor to stop the work and remove the equipment from the site. I am not aware that the work is continuing. I will know whether students are putting pressure on the contractor to continue the work when I go to the hall,” he said.

However, hall union VP Amit Banik defended the continuation of the work.

“The students of the hall want the renovation work to continue. That is why the work is going on. The administration cannot stop the renovation work without a valid reason,” he said.

Repeated attempts to contact hall union GS Mahmudul Hasan Emon were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.

Read More

Winters without birds at Jahangirnagar University

Asked about the continuation of the work despite the suspension order, JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said the work should remain suspended until the investigation is completed.

“The work will remain suspended while the investigation is underway. After the investigation, the work will be completed quickly. Those responsible for the irregularities must be identified and held accountable. That is the final decision,” he said.

The renovation of the unfinished playground has been allocated Tk731,000.