Amtali (Barguna) Correspondent

Allegations of irregularities and embezzlement have been made against Gulishakhali Union Parishad administrative officer Md. Rajibul Islam in the distribution of government humanitarian aid allocated to fishermen to protect hilsa resources in Amtoli, Barguna.

The affected fishermen have alleged embezzlement instead of distributing the rice and collecting 30 taka from the fishermen. There is anger among the fishermen over this incident. They have demanded a speedy investigation and action against those responsible.

It is learned that under the government's humanitarian assistance program to protect Hilsa resources, 25 kg of VGF rice has been allocated to each registered fisherman. The number of registered fishermen in Amtoli Upazila is about seven thousand. Out of this, 46.25 metric tons of rice has been allocated to 1,850 fishermen in Gulishakhali Union.

It is alleged that a part of the allocated rice was misappropriated by the administrative officer of the Union Parishad, Md. Rajibul Islam, without properly distributing it to the fishermen. Although the rice was supposed to be distributed to the Union Parishad, he distributed it from the Amtoli Upazila food warehouse instead. Fishermen Rakib and Sohag also alleged that they collected 30 taka per person from the fishermen as transportation fare.

Investigations revealed that an administrative officer released 18 metric tons of rice from the food warehouse for more than 700 prisoners in three wards of Gulishakhali Union last Sunday. There are allegations that irregularities were committed in the distribution of the rice.

On Thursday, more than 600 fishermen from three wards of the union were called to the Amtoli Upazila food warehouse for rice distribution. When the fishermen arrived there, the administrative officer distributed rice to a small number of fishermen. Zakir Hawlader and Mokles Chowkidar, fishermen from Dalachara village, have alleged that several hundred fishermen were turned away without rice on the pretext of not being on the list.

The fishermen claim that the administrative officer has released 10 metric tons of rice from the food warehouse on paper, but it has not been distributed to them. They believe that the issue of rice embezzlement will be revealed if the signatures and tips on the distribution list are verified.

Zakir Hawlader and Mokles Chowkidar, fishermen from Dalachara village, said that more than a hundred registered fishermen from wards 5, 6 and 7 of the union were turned away without rice because their names were not on the list. They demanded that the matter be investigated and necessary action be taken.

Mostafa Hawlader, a fisherman from Khekuani village, said that despite having a fisherman's registration card, the administrative officer did not give him rice on the pretext that his name was not on the list.

On the other hand, some people involved in rice distribution at the Amtali Upazila food warehouse, who did not want to be named, said that the administrative officer of the Gulishakhali Union Parishad has released 36 metric tons of rice. He did not take the rest of the rice.

However, denying the allegations, Gulishakhali Union Parishad Administrative Officer Md. Rajibul Islam said, "There was no incident of taking money. There was no such irregularity. Rice was distributed properly among all the prisoners."

Amtali Upazila LGED and Gulishakhali Union Parishad Administrator Md. Idris Ali said that legal action will be taken after investigating the allegations of irregularities against administrative officer Md. Rajibul Islam.

Amtali UNO Hasan Md. Hafizur Rahman said, he has heard many complaints against the administrative officer of Gulishakhali Union. Legal action will be taken after investigation if a written complaint is received.