Staff Correspondent

The control of the officials who joined the Agriculture Extension Department after studying from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) for a long time, is going to the hands of officials who passed from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU).

After the fall of the Awami League government, the Ministry of Agriculture has issued a notification for the transfer or new appointment of at least 34 officials of the Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DAE) of Khamarbari; Where all wing directors have changed starting from the Director General.

It is also learnt that the Ministry of Agriculture has transfered more than one hundred officials including the directors of several projects.

Through this change, it is said that the control of the officials who came to work after studying from BAU for a long time, is going to the hands of officials who passed from SAU.

Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and DAE said that during the rule of Awami League, the officials from BAU have influenced the posting, transfer or appointment of project officials of their own group by dominating the farms. At this time, there are also allegations of depriving many qualified officers of appointing ineligible officers in violation of the law.

Agriculture department officials say that the two unwritten groups of Khambarari agricultural officials—one of Bakrbir and the other of Shekrbir—these two groups are further polarized by former Agriculture Minister Md. During the time of Abdur Razzak. Because he was a student of BAU . As a result, their group was at the top receiving benefits including better positions.

Officials say that until the 2024 elections, two Bakribi-centric groups were in power during Abdur Razzak's tenure as agriculture minister. One of them was led by Mohammad Bani Amin, Director of Nutrition and Food Security Strengthening Project and Mokhlesur Rahman, Project Director of Kandal Crop Development Project.

Director of Finance and Administration was with them. Zainal Abedin—who was transferred to Seed Certification Agency, Gazipur on September 2. It is alleged against him that he did not allow the appointment of directors while he was the Deputy Director of Administration Wing to retain his power and was assisted by the Deputy Director of the same wing Muhammad Abdul Hai (now transferred to Narsingdi) and many other officers.

The group of officials of DAE used to exert influence in the identity of Awami League in transferring, posting or appointing the directors of big projects of their choice and there are allegations of money transactions behind these postings. That's why they used to be friendly with the minister and secretary.

Former Director General of DAE. Hamidur Rahman, President of BCS (Agriculture) Association. Another group was active under the leadership of Moazzem Hossain. They also had an influence on the matter of tender and transfer. Hamidur Rahman is still working as a consultant on a project with a hefty salary.

The Secretary General of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) had influence on both groups of current and former officials of DAE. Khairul Alam (Prince); Former Agriculture Minister and Bangabandhu Krishi Parishad President Abdur Razzak, Secretary General AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Prime Minister's Special Assistant Agronomist Moshiur Rahman Humayun were with him. He also sponsored DAE-centric groups. Farmers League leaders were also with it.

Officials say that when the election process began on January 7, Wahida Akhtar, the former Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, who was appointed on a one-year contract basis on the special recommendation of the Prime Minister's Office, became influential in place of Abdur Razzak; However, this appointment was canceled by the interim government.

The group of Mohammad Bani Amin and Mokhleshur Rahman, who used to patronize Abdur Razzak, took the opportunity and became friends with Wahida Akhter. Where Abdus Shahid got the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture after the January election, but the secretary's opinion prevailed.

The former secretary led the march against the students along with the officers in the student movement. On August 4, under the leadership of Wahida Akhtar, Additional Director of Dhaka Region of DAE Ahsanul Bashar, former DG Badal Chandra Biswas, former Director of Administration Md. Joynal Abedin and Deputy Director. Abdul Hai (Personnel), Deputy Director Mohammad Shahidul Islam (Legal & Support), AIS Director Surjeet Shah Roy and many officials actively participated in it.

Ahsanul Bashar was given the important responsibility of additional director of Dhaka region by dinging senior officials.

Wahida Akhtar was accused of various irregularities in addition to the agitation against the students. With influence, he extended the contract of BARC's [Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council] former chairman Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiar (husband of this secretary) twice.

Despite not being qualified in the World Bank funded 7,000 crore partner project of DAE, Mizanur Rahman as program coordinator and Dr. as APC. Gaur Govind was appointed by Wahida Akhtar. There are many allegations of such activities against him.

TBS contacted several officials of Bakribi Group including former secretary Wahida Akhtar. But none of them agreed to speak except for one.

Director of Seed Certification Agency. Zainal Abedin said, "I work for the government, I have to go where I am transferred. There is no comment beyond that."

Md. was given the current responsibility of the director general as a senior of DAE. Tajul Islam Patwari has been appointed as the director of the most important administrative and financial department. Md. Shahinul Islam.

Mohammad Mahbubur Rashid is leading the promotion and posting now. He got the new posting as Deputy Director of Administration on 19 August. He was earlier serving as District Training Officer, Narsingdi.

Mahbubur Rashid was the vice-president of Shekribi's student body when he was a student. Agriculturist Md is with him. Rezaul Islam. Who is still working as Additional Deputy Director of Habiganj Agricultural Extension Department.

Agriculturist Rezaul Islam lost his promotion due to departmental punishment during his career. He is a BCS 20 batch officer, the batch of officers who got promoted are now in 4th grade but Rezaul Islam is in 6th grade. He is now lobbying to be the PD of the big project.

Rezaul Islam told TBS, "We have asked for the transfer of hundreds of officers to speed up and reform the work of DAE. It is happening, but very slowly. I will go to a project, that proposal has gone to the ministry."

After the fall of the government, Mahbub Rashid, Rezaul Islam, Shahinul Islam, who was recently promoted as the director of administration and finance, held a press conference at the DA and raised their demands for deprivation. The list is being sent to the ministry for the promotion of DAE, new appointment, appointment of project director and change of various officers.

The new secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mia told TBS, "The unrest that was in the beginning in the various departments of agriculture is now under control. Even if there are demands of the deprived, decisions are being made after checking."

Along with DAE, KIB is now under the control of BNP co-publicity secretary Shamimur Rahman Shamim and Agriculturalists Association of Bangladesh (AB) Convenor Rashidul Hasan Haroon. Anwarun Nabi Majumdar Babla was the Convener of the Abbey in 2008. He is now desperated to take control of the Krishibid Institutions of Bangladesh ( KIB).