FAKIRHAT, BAGERHAT, July 4: A government-run training centre under the Department of Social Services in Fakirhat Upazila of Bagerhat has remained inactive for the past 14 years despite having trainers and equipment, leaving valuable machinery worth millions of taka to decay and the facility in a state of neglect.
During a recent visit, the large compound located in Mulghar area beside the Dhaka�"Khulna highway was found overgrown with wild vegetation, with buildings and infrastructure in a deteriorated condition. The main gate of the centre remained locked for long periods, while several youths visiting in search of training reportedly returned disappointed.
The centre, known as the only training and rural rehabilitation facility for male persons with physical disabilities in the country, was established in 1978. According to officials, full-scale training activities ceased in 2012.
Before its closure, the centre operated three training trades�"mechanical workshop, tailoring, and poultry farming�"through which 319 disabled youths had reportedly become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
Trainer Abdus Sattar, who works in the mechanical workshop, said the centre previously had 11 sanctioned posts, but most staff members were transferred elsewhere after training activities stopped. At present, only one residential trainer remains, who is due to retire next month.
He added that around 21 types of valuable machines, including lathe and grinding machines, have been lying unused since 2010�"11. Vehicles inside the garage have also deteriorated, while poultry and livestock training infrastructure has collapsed and is now covered in weeds.
The centre was designed to provide one-year residential training courses for 30 disabled youths per batch, along with tools and a Tk 4,000 stipend after completion, as well as access to soft loans.
However, lack of residential facilities has severely hampered its operation.
Sources at the Social Services office said the centre underwent partial renovation in 2017, but training activities could not resume due to the absence of an operational residential building. The existing hostel structure is now in a dilapidated condition.
In 2016, the district disposal committee recommended auctioning the hostel building, while a fresh proposal was sent in 2020 to the department’s director general seeking approval, but no decision has been taken yet.
Administrative complications have further worsened the situation, as the centre is located in Fakirhat but is currently overseen by a Social Services officer from Terokhada Upazila in Khulna, limiting regular supervision and monitoring.
Locals and stakeholders have demanded immediate steps to revive the centre, which was originally established to empower persons with disabilities. Despite repeated correspondence from district officials, the issue remains unresolved and confined to official files.
Disabled youth Ramzan Sheikh said he has been waiting for the centre to reopen since the age of 20 and is now 34, expressing uncertainty over whether it will ever resume operations.
Fakirhat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Rokonuj Zaman said he is newly appointed and will look into the matter and take appropriate steps.
District Social Services official Sontosh Kumar Nath said the centre had been inspected and could be made functional again if the residential building is restored, adding that proposals for manpower and infrastructure have already been sent to higher authorities.
