Phulbari (Kurigram) Correspondent

The allegations of misappropriation of 43 and a half maunds of VGF (Viability Gap Funding) by Ataur Rahman Mintu, Chairman of Baravita Union Parishad of Fulbari Upazila of Kurigram and Forest and Environment Affairs Secretary of Upazila Awami League, has been proven true.

The investigation committee formed to investigate the complaint of rice theft of VGF allotted to the poor has submitted a written report to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer mentioning the fact of 43 and a half tons of rice theft.

It is learnt that on the occasion of last Eid-ul-Azha, a list of 6 thousand 375 beneficiaries was prepared for the distribution of 10 kg of VGF rice among the poor families of Baravita Union of the upazila. UP members and reserved women members provide names of poor people in their respective areas for inclusion in this list. But during the distribution of rice, the UP members collected the list of beneficiaries from the UP secretary and found that many of the beneficiaries included in the list were unknown to them.

Moreover, in many places in the list, the same person's name is repeated and also the name of the deceased. In this situation, all UP members of the council objected to the distribution of rice with the disputed list. But chairman Ataur Rahman Mintu distributed rice among the beneficiaries with the disputed list ignoring the objections of UP members and the rice of the slips issued by fake names was collected by his own people. Later, on June 12/24, 11 UP members of that union parishad filed a written complaint against the chairman of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer for stealing rice from VGF by using fake names in the list.

Meanwhile, following the complaint of UP members, the upazila administration assigned responsibility to the upazila project implementation officer to investigate the incident.

In this context, the Upazila Project Implementation Officer Sabuj Kumar Gupta said that in a long investigation, clear evidence was found of embezzlement of 1.740 metric tons or 43 tons of VGF rice by Chairman Ataur Rahman Mintu using fake names in the list. An investigation report has been submitted to the Upazila Executive Officer recommending legal action against the responsible UP Chairman.

In this regard, Chairman Ataur Rahman Mintu's phone was called several times, but he did not receive the call.

Phulbari UNO Rehenuma Tarannum said the report of the inquiry committee has been sent to the deputy commissioner. Punitive action is pending.