Ashikur Rahman Roni, Brahmanbaria 

 A rice procurement drive in Brahmanbaria district is facing allegations of irregularities as multiple non-operational rice mills continue to be listed as active in official records to supply rice to government food godowns.

The practice is particularly prevalent across government food warehouses in Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria Sadar, and Sarail upazilas. Allegations indicate that collusive arrangements between a section of corrupt food department officials and mill owners' association leaders have allowed shuttered mills to maintain active status in violation of government procurement guidelines. Reportedly, a syndicate collects low-quality rice from external sources on a commission basis per kilogram to fulfill these supply quotas.

According to Brahmanbaria District Food Department sources, a target was set to procure 71,426 metric tonnes of rice in the district during the current season. Under this target, 19,892 metric tonnes were allocated to Brahmanbaria Sadar food godown, 39,775 metric tonnes to Ashuganj, and 9,589 metric tonnes to Sarail. The procurement price for boiled rice was fixed at Tk 49 per kilogram. Under the agreement, contract millers are required to purchase paddy from local markets, process it in their own mills, and deliver high-quality rice to state warehouses.

Agreements were executed with several enterprises, including M/S Mahmuda Auto Rice Mill, M/S Gazi Rice Mill, Hafiz Auto Rice Mill, Haji Rice Mill, Rafique Rice Mill, Sekandar Boiler Rice Mill, Eye-An Auto Rice Mill, and Lal Mia Auto Rice Mill. However, field investigations revealed that at least eight listed mills have remained non-operational for years, with machinery lying derelict and no active boiling, drying, or husking operations taking place. Furthermore, Lal Mia Auto Rice Mill in Ashuganj secured an allocation for boiled rice supply despite lacking boiling chimney infrastructure.

Procurement allocations for the inactive mills include 49 metric tonnes for Mahmuda Akter Rice Mill, 52 metric tonnes for Gazi Rice Mill, 49 metric tonnes for Hafiz Rice Mill, 38 metric tonnes for Haji Rice Mill, 39 metric tonnes for Rafique Rice Mill, 41 metric tonnes for Sekandar Rice Mill, 57 metric tonnes for Eye-An Auto Rice Mill, and 49 metric tonnes for Lal Mia Auto Rice Mill. Complainants allege that the millers procured inferior quality rice from open markets and delivered it to government godowns while falsely documenting production from their own units.

According to procurement guidelines, supplied rice must maintain a maximum moisture level of 14 percent and remain free from broken, dead, or red grains. Inspections at the warehouses revealed moisture inconsistencies alongside high proportions of damaged and broken grains, which warehouse staff noted could compromise long-term preservation.

District Food Controller Kaniz Jahan Bindu was not available  to comment on the matter.