Controversial Dr. Jahedul to be appointed MD again in Rooppur project!

The country's largest and most sensitive infrastructure is the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna. The under-construction project seems to be in the news. After criticism over irregularities and corruption in recruitment, rehabilitation of fascist sympathizers, and employment of agents of the Indian intelligence agency 'RAW', new details of the mischief have come to light.

According to sources, Project Director and Interim Managing Director (MD) of NPCBL, Dr. Jahedul Hasan, has once again come under discussion at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

There are allegations that he has played a key role in contracts and appointments as a trusted official of the Awami League's 'fascist government' for a long time. A group is desperate to appoint him as MD without analyzing his past.

On May 15, 2024, on the recommendation of the Indian High Commission and with the blessings of Sheikh Rehana's close circle, he was made the Project Director. Later, on May 28, 2025, he was appointed as the interim MD of the state-owned Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL).

However, those involved in the project allege that this appointment has been in violation of the Government Service Act and the Atomic Energy Commission rules. Because, since May 31, Dr. Hasan has been on post-retirement leave (PRL). In this situation, the appointment is not legal without the approval of the President, but he was made MD without approval. As a result, his current performance as MD is completely illegal legally.

The name of Moinul Islam Titas, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology and NPCBL Board Member, is also coming up in this regard. There are allegations that he is playing an active role in keeping Dr. Hasan as MD. Despite numerous allegations, he is spreading the theory that "there is no alternative to Jahedul Hasan" to keep Jahedul Hasan as MD.

Initiatives have been taken to sign three new contracts (operation, maintenance and spare parts) for the project soon. But those concerned claim that no separate contract is needed for these services because they are already included in the existing general contract with Russia.

According to them, the purpose of signing the new agreement is to create additional spending opportunities. Through this process, it is planned to hire several hundred foreign experts at high salaries, which will abnormally increase the project cost and question the national interest.

On the other hand, even after 10 years of its establishment, the NPCBL has not been implemented. This raises concerns that the initiative to develop local manpower in the long term will be hampered. Rather, there are allegations that there are plans to hand over the operation of power plants to foreign companies in the future.

According to information received from reliable sources, he also plans to lay off more than three hundred trained engineers.

All the irregularities in the Rooppur project

Allegations of irregularities in the Rooppur project are not new. An international report published in August 2024 revealed information about corruption worth about $5 billion in the project. Later, the issue was widely discussed in the country's media.

The project budget was initially $8 billion, but has now increased to $13 billion. The audit report mentions the lack of supporting documents for the budget increase. It is alleged that Dr. Hasan was involved in fixing abnormal prices for importing equipment from Russia.

It is alleged that Dr. Hasan, who simultaneously holds the duties of Project Director, MD, Station Director and Human Resources Head, has taken sole control of the entire project. He has issued 186 show cause notices in a single day. He has also dismissed 18 experienced engineers and scientific officers trained at a cost of hundreds of crores of taka by the government without any reason, while 11 more have been suspended.

The complainants claim that if experienced engineers were in charge, the cost estimate of $13 billion would have been revealed. Therefore, Dr. Hasan wants to keep the project under his control by removing them.

After the change of government on August 5, Dr. Hasan's activities within the project have created further controversy. When officials raised concerns about irregularities, he issued show cause notices against them, dismissed many, and blocked access to the project. There are allegations that law enforcement and local politicians have been used to intimidate them.

ACC investigation against Dr. Jahedul Hasan

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other agencies have already started investigations into the illegal assumption of office as MD, financial irregularities and corruption, authoritarian behavior, and abuse of power. In addition, CAB (Consumer Rights Organization) has also filed a written complaint against Dr. Hasan.

The project has not yet been able to supply electricity to the national grid. The implementation will take more time as the installation and testing of equipment has not been completed. The project work has already been delayed by about two and a half years. During this time, Bangladesh has to pay more than 100 million taka as interest on the loan to Russia every day.

Project stakeholders fear that the Rooppur project is facing uncertainty due to political patronage and leadership arbitrariness. According to them, unless transparency, accountability and experienced technicians are reinstated, the project could pose a serious risk to national interests.

Many have expressed anger over the news of the new appointment process of Dr. Jahedul of the country's largest mega project, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which was appointed without following proper rules.

They said that in the past, Dr. Jahedul Hasan, who was appointed illegally, has various allegations of corruption, irregularities, and extreme mismanagement. Not only that, Dr. Jahedul Hasan is an ally of the fallen government. He is a bureaucrat blessed by Sheikh Rehana. He had unwavering support for the fallen government in the student-public movement. He has spent cash against the student-public movement. He still has the low mentality to bring Hasina back to the country.

Dr. Jahedul's mobile phone was disconnected after several calls were made to him on several days to inquire about the allegations of influence peddling to remain as a full-fledged MD. He even did not respond to a WhatsApp message from The Finance Today's special correspondent.

If this person, who openly engaged in syndicate trading, is appointed as MD again, it will be establishing a traitor.