EGPP running with several allegations

The government's 40-day Employment Genera-tion Program for the Poorest (EGPP) of the second phase for the ultra poor people is running in Sirajganj amid allegations of receiving money on behalf of fake beneficiaries by public representatives and officials.
Visiting different project areas recently, this correspondent learnt that over fifty percent of the beneficiary laborers are regular absentees at their work although the daily wage of Tk 200 each is drawn from the banks.
Sources said that the government sanctioned Taka 2, 13, 12,000 against 72 projects that include road repair and earth filling in nine unions under Rayganj upazila of Sirajganj in fiscal year 2017-2018. At least 2,664 laborers (beneficiaries) to get Tk 200 each per day from the EGPP program.
But the whole project is being implemented only in the paper. On May 9, this correspondent visited Sree-Das-gati and Metrotagari project sites under Pangasi union of Rayganj upazila.
"Only 35 labourers out of a total 70 at Sree-Das-gati project and 15 out of 29 laborers at Matrotagari project are present. It has been found that the other workers never come to the job. On May 7, this correspondent visited the Nalka project and found only 18 laborers out of a total 29 present there.
During recent visit different union of the upazila in EGPP project areas huge irregularities were found. In every project that is being implemented in all of nine unions under the upazila the same picture is seen.
Sources said, Money is being drawn on behalf of fake beneficiaries from the banks although there are instructions to pay the money in presence of the real beneficiaries. Apparently the union parishad chairmen and members have some interest. It is necessary to prepare a new list of beneficiary of ultra-poor people who would work properly.
Several UP members claimed that they are taking the money for payment of the laborers following verbal instructions from the PIO office.