Jashore University of Science and Technology Tender
15th Bidder Wins Contract Over 14 Lower Bids
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
A controversy has emerged over an e-GP tender worth Tk 15 million issued under the revenue budget for fiscal year 2025-26 at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) for the repair and maintenance of various campus buildings.
Allegations suggest that authorities bypassed the first 14 lowest bidders among 22 participants and awarded the contract to a firm ranked 15th in the bidding process.
According to available documents, the estimated cost of the project was Tk 15.032 million. M/S Jamuna Prokousholi offered to complete the work for Tk 12,679,492. However, the evaluation committee ultimately awarded the contract to a firm named Nishit Basu, which submitted a bid of Tk 13.68 million. By selecting a higher-priced bidder instead of the lowest qualified bidder, the university incurred an additional cost of nearly Tk 1 million.
Sources alleged that irregularities occurred in the tender process in exchange for a 5 percent advance commission. They also alleged that authorities issued the work order just two working days before the end of the fiscal year so that bills could be drawn by showing the work as completed before June 30.
An investigation found that the university allocated Tk 15 million from its fiscal year 2025–26 revenue budget for repair and maintenance work on various buildings. Acting Chief Engineer Professor Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman invited bids through the e-GP system. Documents show that the tender was floated on June 2, 2026, and the deadline for bid submission and opening was set for June 18.
Under the Public Procurement Rules (PPR) 2008 and financial regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance, authorities must allow adequate time for bid preparation and evaluation in open tender processes. However, the evaluation of this Tk 15 million tender was completed within just 12 days of the bids being opened on June 18. Authorities subsequently issued the work order. Many have questioned how such a large tender could be evaluated within such a short period.
Those concerned alleged that authorities failed to follow procurement rules, creating opportunities for irregularities in the use of revenue funds. To ensure transparency in government spending during the June closing period, officials must follow specific timelines. Under the rules, the relevant work should be completed and the final payment process concluded by June 30.
In this project, documents show that authorities prepared the necessary paperwork on June 30 after opening the bids on June 18. They then issued the final work order for the Tk 15 million project with only two working days remaining. Stakeholders have questioned whether it was realistically possible to complete repair work worth Tk 15 million within such a short timeframe.
Rules 73 and 98 of the PPR 2008 require evaluation committees to recommend awarding contracts to the lowest bidder who meets all conditions. A total of 22 registered contractors participated in this tender. However, authorities selected Nishit Basu, ranked 15th among the bidders, after rejecting the first 14 lowest bidders. Allegations have surfaced that Executive Engineer Mohammad Touhid Imam manipulated the process in exchange for a 5 percent advance commission.
Under university regulations, the Office of the Chief Engineer is responsible for administering and overseeing all major procurement tenders. However, Executive Engineer Mohammad Touhid Imam reportedly retained direct control over all tender processes.
Allegations further claim that Touhid Imam kept the engineering department’s e-GP portal ID, password, and registered official email address under his personal control. Critics allege that he used that access to manipulate the tender process and award contracts to preferred firms.
Acting Chief Engineer Professor Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman told Agamir Shomoy, “Although I am the designated procurement officer, Executive Engineer Mohammad Touhid Imam managed the entire process. He can provide the details. A firm named Nishit Basu received this contract under the fiscal year 2025–26 revenue budget.”
Responding to the allegations, Executive Engineer Mohammad Touhid Imam told Agamir Somoy, “The tender process was completed in accordance with the rules. A firm named Nishit Basu received the work under the SLT process. There is no opportunity for corruption in an online tender. The allegations against me are not true.”
Asked why such a large tender was floated at the end of June, Touhid Imam said, “The tender was issued under instructions from higher authorities. This is a revenue-funded project. Under the rules, the work is supposed to be completed within June.”
When asked how the bill would be paid, he said, “Since the June closing has already passed, the authorities are in a better position to explain how the payment will be made.”
JUST Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan said he had joined the university only a few days ago and was not yet aware of the matter.
JUST Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Yarul Kabir said, “The funds allocated under the fiscal year 2025–26 revenue budget will be returned because they could not be spent within the specified timeframe.”
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) previously investigated allegations of irregularities involving multi-crore taka lift and fire-fighting detection system projects at the university. Court cases involving the former vice chancellor and several engineers are also currently pending.
