Puthia (Rajshahi) Correspondent

Golam Saqlain, Deputy Assistant Plant Protection Officer working at the Puthia Upazila Agriculture Office in Rajshahi, has been allegedly ccharging extra money while issuing and renewing pesticide licenses.

On the orders of the Puthia Upazila Agriculture Officer, Golam Saqlain is responsible for renewing all pesticide licenses at the Upazila Agriculture Office, collected a minimum of 1,000 to 3,000 taka in lieu of the government VAT of 230 taka for retail and 345 taka for wholesale instead of the license renewal fee.

In addition, it was learned through on-site investigation that after initially sending back the license saying that no new licenses would be issued in the upazila, he later obtained the license for a large sum of money through a secret agreement. And in the name of renewing the pesticide license, he charged 1,000 to 3,000 taka from each person. Again, if anyone told anyone about this money, he threatened to cancel the license.

A businessman, who did not wish to be named, said that last year I renewed my pesticide business license for 2,200 taka, but this year Saqlain renewed my pesticide license for 3,000 taka.

When asked about the anonymity of some pesticide traders in Baneshwar, they said that if my name comes in the news, the Agriculture Office has threatened me with various threats, including not renewing my license. That is why I am afraid to say it. Golam Saqlain sir is in charge of the license, he is the one who asked me for an additional 1,500 taka in addition to the government fee and other expenses, so I have not renewed my pesticide license this year.

Many pesticide traders, who did not wish to be named, said that they are unable to renew their licenses due to the dishonesty of Deputy Assistant Plant Protection Officer Golam Saqlain and the additional money he demands to renew the license.

There are 21 BCIC and BADC fertilizer dealers and 517 pesticide dealers in Puthia Upazila. There are allegations against the Upazila Agriculture Office of taking large sums of money from all these dealers at different times in the name of various events. And there are allegations of taking money from big pesticide traders in the Upazila. Golam Saqlain used to collect that money from the Agriculture Office.

Assistant Plant Protection Officer Golam Saqlain was contacted on his mobile phone several times, but he did not receive the call.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Smriti Rani Sarkar said in this regard, I have not received any such complaint and if I receive it, action will be taken.

Deputy Director of Rajshahi Agricultural Extension Department Umme Salma said, I have not received any such complaint. There should not be any such complaint. If I receive such a complaint against the Puthia Agriculture Office, I will investigate it.