Pabna, Nov 30 (V7N) – Allegations of withholding a contractor’s payment have been raised against Monowar Hossain Khan Mithu, Chairman of Khanmarich Union Parishad in Bhangura upazila of Pabna. The dispute centers on bills reportedly owed for completed rural infrastructure work under local development allocations.

On Friday afternoon, November 28, contractor Masud Rana Appel and residents of the area formed a human chain demanding immediate settlement of the unpaid bills. Appel stated that the Union Parishad chairman assigned him to execute several rural road repair and earthen road construction projects after the union received government allocations. According to his complaint, although the work was completed nearly two years ago, he has yet to receive the authorized payment despite repeated requests.

Appel alleged that the chairman repeatedly assured him the bill would be cleared but never followed through, leaving him in severe financial distress. He added that he had been forced to borrow money to pay laborers, causing him ongoing hardship. The human chain was organized to draw attention to this crisis and press for the payment of his dues.

Local residents, including Zahid Hasan and Ashiqur Rahman, expressed concern that such disputes undermine public trust in development activities. They stated that contractors who complete government-assigned work must be paid fairly and on time, and called for a prompt investigation to resolve the matter.

Union Parishad Chairman Monowar Hossain Khan Mithu denied the allegations, stating that he did not assign any project work to Appel. He claimed that a former MP’s son had verbally asked the contractor to undertake the work, which he had only heard about. “Now, after the change of government, they are putting pressure on me for payment. If I did not assign the project, there is no question of issuing any bill,” he said.

The contractor and local residents have appealed to the authorities to review the project records, verify responsibility, and ensure accountability for the owed payment.

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