RANGAMATI, MAY 28 (V7N) - The project authorities have given a detailed explanation against the news titled “Nine-six in a project worth 168 crore taka” recently published in various media outlets regarding the Rangamati Science and Technology University (RUSTU). The concerned officials claim that the information on the project has been presented in a partial and misleading manner and that an attempt is being made to hide the real reality. In a press release sent to the media on Monday afternoon, Project Director (Vice President) Abdul Gafur mentioned in a written statement;
The initial allocation for the university establishment project, which started in January 2013, was Tk 116.47 crore. Later, in the first amendment, it increased to Tk 145.58 crore and currently, according to the second amendment, the total allocation for the project is Tk 164.30 crore. However, some reports have presented incorrect information by mentioning a "Tk 168 crore project", claimed the current project director (acting) Abdul Gafur.
He said that the total expenditure on the project in the past 13 years was around 89 crore 94 lakh taka. The remaining amount has not been released and has not been spent yet. As a result, the concerned parties claim that the allegations of "total money being lost" or "nine-six" are not in line with reality.
Four project directors have served on the project so far. During the tenure of the second project director, Professor Dr. Prathamendu Bikash Chakma, about 68 crore 76 lakh taka was spent, a large part of which was used for land acquisition. The current director, Abdul Gafur, said that a large part of the money spent during his tenure was given to the Department of Education Engineering and the remaining money was spent on road development, land development, gate construction, master plan, scientific equipment and planned afforestation.
Regarding the allegation of receiving an advance of 68 lakh taka, the project authorities say that these advances were taken for administrative and project-related work following government financial rules and later the necessary documents including bills and vouchers were submitted and the reconciliation was completed as per the rules.
Officials also explained that the master plan and large-scale engineering designs were printed and copied from Chittagong for specialized printing as they could not be printed on the office's general printer.
Rejecting the allegations of excessive fuel consumption of the project director's car, Abdul Gafur said that the car was used not only for his personal use but also for the university's administrative activities, guest transportation, supervision of development work and official visits. He even claimed that the car was used for administrative work for a long time as the vice chancellor's official car was not in use.
In addition, the project authorities also stated that entertainment, travel, and accommodation expenses have been incurred in accordance with government regulations for representatives of the Ministry of Education, UGC, Department of Educational Engineering, and various expert organizations to participate in meetings, site visits, and technical activities.
The authorities have also rejected allegations that the university's gate and nameplate construction was billed "before work began." They claim that the bills were paid in stages after the contractor was selected through an open tender and the engineers were verified.
Regarding the allegations of violation of environmental laws, the project authorities said that the necessary fees have been paid through proper application for permission from the Department of Environment, public consultation meetings and government treasury challan. It is also claimed that pictures, quotations and bill-vouchers of each planned afforestation work are preserved.
Project Director Abdul Gafur said, "This is a new university. We have worked sincerely from the formulation of the DPP to its implementation. If necessary, everything can be verified on the spot through an impartial investigation committee. If there is an impartial investigation, the real truth will come out."
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