Two upazila executive officers in Faridpur’s Bhanga and Sadarpur have returned a combined Tk 10.08 million in unspent canal re-excavation funds to the government treasury. Bhanga UNO Mahmudul Hasan returned Tk 6,439,916, while Sadarpur UNO Sharif Shawon returned Tk 3.64 million, according to a report published on July 27. Both officials confirmed the matter on Monday night.

The funds were allocated under the prime minister’s special priority canal excavation programme. Bhanga received Tk 36,047,775 for re-excavating three canals, while Sadarpur received Tk 21,894,804 for four canals. Formal work in Bhanga began on February 4 in canal areas of Gharua and Manikdah unions.

The report said excavation work was disrupted and later stopped because canals became submerged during low rainfall in June and July. As the projects in the two upazilas were not completed properly, the remaining allocations were returned. Local lawmaker Shahidul Islam Khan Babul thanked the two officials, describing their actions as an example of transparency and accountability. The report also said the officials received praise from local residents.