JAMALPUR, Apr 23: Residents of Sarishabari Upazila in Jamalpur staged a protest and formed a human chain on Monday, alleging irregularities and nepotism in the tender process for supplying food to patients at the upazila health complex, and demanding a fresh tender.
The demonstration, organized by concerned local citizens, took place on Hospital Road around 11 am.
According to sources at the upazila health complex, a tender was issued on February 9 to select a contractor for providing food to admitted patients for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Although regulations require that the work order be awarded to the lowest bidder in line with market rates, the complainants allege that this procedure was not followed.
In response, locals submitted a complaint to the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services on Sunday and organized the protest the following day.
Speakers at the event alleged that Abdul Hannan, the chief office assistant at the health complex, participated in the tender process under the name "Mission Corporation" by concealing his involvement and submitting fraudulent documents. They noted that locals had previously filed a written complaint with the civil surgeon on March 16, leading to the formation of an investigation committee.
However, before the investigation was completed, the work order was reportedly finalised in favour of "Mission Corporation"-which was not the lowest bidder. The actual lowest bidder was allegedly excluded, raising concerns over irregularities, favouritism, and potential misuse of government funds.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Selim Reza, Secretary for Information, Technology, and Research Affairs of the Municipal BNP; Shafiqul Islam, former joint general secretary of Municipal Chatra Dal; Jahangir Alam Khokon; and Abdul Aziz.
The speakers demanded the immediate cancellation of the work order, a retender for the contract, and a fair investigation into the allegations.
