Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders have focused more on infrastructure development projects at the university, allegedly going beyond their legal mandate, than on fulfilling key electoral promises such as improving students’ accommodation, food quality and campus security.
The DUCSU leaders, backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir, said they received only Tk35 lakh from the university but spent more than Tk40 crore on various projects.
They claimed that the additional funds came from outside assistance or donations.
The projects include renovation of the university’s medical centre and central mosque, and installation of air conditioners in reading rooms of residential halls.
However, DUCSU leaders could not provide complete information or accounts of the Tk40 crore spent on the projects.
Meanwhile, the university administration and former DUCSU leaders have raised questions about the projects.
They have expressed concerns over whether the projects had proper approval, how the donations were accounted for, and who would bear the long-term operating and maintenance costs.
Kazi Md Akram Hossain, chief engineer of Dhaka University, said that anyone wishing to carry out any development or funding work at the university must first submit a proposal to the administration, and it then scrutinises the proposal and issues an approval letter.
According to several senior university officials, most of the projects undertaken by DUCSU were implemented without formal approval.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor and DUCSU President Prof ABM Obaidul Islam said, “DUCSU is working beyond its legal mandate and creating a parallel administration within the university.
“If anything is to be done at the university, approval is required. Why was the university not given any clear account of the money or goods brought in from outside? They (DUCSU leaders) say they have brought in a huge amount of money. But where is the account?”
Expressing concern over the future operating costs of the projects, the VC said, “DUCSU leaders are bringing a new bus for students without consulting the university administration. Who will bear the maintenance and fuel costs?”
DUCSU Treasurer Prof HM Mosharraf Hossain said he had not been given details about any funds or projects coming from outside.
He said, “The accounts of funds provided by the university are properly documented. But if an organisation directly purchases something and installs it, no cash enters DUCSU’s account. I have not received details of the donors of the money or goods, the value of donated items or any accounts of the goods. Perhaps DUCSU leaders have kept records. Since these donations did not come through DUCSU’s account, I do not have their accounts as treasurer.”
According to the DUCSU constitution, the treasurer is responsible for overseeing the funds, advising on financial policy, approving expenditures, ensuring that spending is in line with the approved budget, and maintaining accounts.
Under the constitution, DUCSU is responsible for managing common rooms, reading rooms and cafeterias, overseeing social and cultural activities, and supervising transport services on designated routes.
However, the DUCSU constitution does not mention bringing in funds from outside to undertake renovations, construction or establish permanent infrastructure on its own initiative.
Asked about documents related to expenditure and purchases, DUCSU General Secretary SM Farhad said, “All information on project expenditure and purchases will be made public once the audit is completed.”
On Thursday, DUCSU Vice-President Abu Sadiq Kayem presented a report on their activities over the past year and accountability at a press conference in front of the DUCSU building.
Although no full audit report was made public, expenditure details for several projects were provided at the time.
Source: The Daily Star
