Gofran Biswas Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)

Food-friendly program the master roll document for distribution of rice at the rate of Tk 15 per kg is correct on paper, but the accurate weight of rice is not distributed among the beneficiaries in Kalapara, it is alleged.

After distributing 17-22 kg of rice instead of 30 kg among the beneficiaries in thick spots, the surplus rice is converted into sacks and sold secretly in the black market. One or two journalists went to the spot to verify such information of irregularities, but it was not published in the media.

No complaint in this regard has been filed in the food controller's office. The victims along with the local conscience say that even after complaining to the concerned authorities, no remedy was found. Later the complainant was subjected to harassment. No one is interested in complaining about it.

According to sources, after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, many dealers, who were appointed on the basis of party considerations, went into hiding for fear of attack. In this, 19 dealers out of 34 dealers of the upazila distributed rice among 10 thousand 9 hundred and 17 beneficiaries, but 277.080 may be allotted to 9 thousand 2 hundred and 36 beneficiary families in favor of 15 dealers. Uncertainty arises in the distribution of rice. Which is later distributed through the new dealers who are appointed at the discretion of the party without publishing the dealer recruitment circular in the newspaper.

In the month of September 2014, 604.590 metric tonnes of food-friendly program rice was allocated to 20,153 beneficiary families in the upazila in favor of 34 dealers. Complaints of loss of weight are heard among the beneficiaries with October rice after September. Even though the rice allotted to the beneficiaries was seized by the locals while selling it in the black market, there is no information in this regard in the office of the Food Controller. The distribution of rice for the November allocation is now underway.

However till November 15, 2 dealers have not yet submitted the invoice to the office. Among the remaining dealers, 5 dealers have not yet withdrawn the allotted rice in their favor from the food warehouse. However, according to the policy, there is a provision to lift half of the monthly demand by the 7th of the month. And the tag officer and UNO should be informed by SMS immediately after withdrawal. But the dealers do not follow any rules in Kalapara.

The source further informed that in the month of October, 22,140 metric tonnes of rice was allocated to dealers in favor of 738 card holder families at Charchapali Bazar sales point. The locals complained that 17-22 kg of rice was distributed to these families by unstitching a 30 kg sack and re-stitching it. Even the supervising officer was not seen during the distribution. After that, 26 sacks of 50 kg sacks of rice were seized by the locals during the sale, which was then entrusted to an influential person. Within a few days, all parties were managed and the buyers and traders took the seized rice. However, the concerned dealer denied the allegation and took responsibility. More or less the same information is heard against most of the sales representatives in the upazila. As these accused dealers are active and influential leaders of political parties, they are reluctant to reveal their names even if someone opens up against them.

Meanwhile, the supervisory officials including the accused dealers claimed that there was no irregularity in the rice distribution of the food friendly program, but most of the master rolls of rice distribution for the month of October have not been deposited in the office yet. The few that have been submitted have no tip signatures, all are said to be signed. It seems that all of the 20,153 beneficiaries have signature knowledge. Is it really so? No, the reality is different.

Sources in the Upazila Food Controller's office said that in case of embezzlement or shortage of food grains, double the economic value will be recoverable and criminal cases can be filed against the dealer. The Department of Food has filed two cases against two dealers for serious irregularities in the upazila so far. ACC investigated one of these cases. However, the dealers were acquitted in both the cases.

The source also said that all existing dealerships of food friendly programs like OMS will also be canceled after the November rice distribution. After the circular issued by the Ministry in this regard, the circular regarding the new OMS dealer has already been published in the newspaper.

Upazila's Charchapali market sales point supervision officer Md. When Zakir Hossain was asked about the date of October rice distribution, he said that he did not remember correctly. He said that November's rice has been properly distributed today and yesterday.

Upazila Food Controller. Nurullah said, "Although there were one or two small verbal complaints about the distribution of food-friendly program rice, no written complaint was received from anyone. Actions will be taken according to the policy if complaints are received.