Work remains incomplete as deadline ends on February 28

SYLHET, Mar 02: Work on the much desired crop protection embankments in Sunamganj remained incomplete as the deadline ended on February 28.

This has raised fear among the grassroots farmers about possible crop damage by rain or flood.

Locals as well as the activists of different organisations said the progress is about 60 per cent to 70 per cent, but the Water Development Board (WDB) officials claimed 86 per cent.

Common farmers' forum 'Haor Banchao, Sunamganj Banchao' at a press conference on Thursday afternoon said only 60 per cent work have been done till the end of February.

They also staged a human chain on Saturday at the district town and other upazilas.

Vice-president of the forum Swapan Kumar Das and general secretary Bijon Sen Roy spoke on it at the main human chain.

Meanwhile, "Poribesh O Haor Unnayan Sangstha' at a separate press conference said the progress was below 70 per cent.

The organisation demanded measures against those responsible for the slow progress. Organisation president Kashmir Reza readout the written statement at the event.

WDB Executive Engineer Abu Baker Siddique said due to rain no work could be done for two days while the progress stood at 86 per cent.

The progress reports have been handed over to deputy commissioner and other higher officials, he added.

However, things would be completed in a week. As per reports, highest 90 per cent progress had been achieved in Biswambharpur and the lowest 82 per cent in Dakshin Surma upazila.

Finishing works were now going on almost all the schemes, the report contained.

On the other hand, a number of locals diferred the reports saying there was less progress on field works.

Some locals alleged substandard works on their areas. Such irregularities have been informed the upazila nirbahi officers.

A total of 565 schemes were taken up in the district at a cost of Tk 964 million through Project Implemen-tation Committees (PICs) with locals and officials.

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