Irregularities found in VGF rice distribution in Bhurungamari

Aminur Babu, Bhurungamari (Kurigram)

There have been allegations of widespread irregularities in the distribution of VGF rice allocated to the poor on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha in Baldia Union of Bhurungamari Upazila of the district. Instead of the names of the poor, the names of about 2,000 well-off people, including government and private teachers, have been included in the VGF list.

It is alleged that the chairman member sold the 10 kg rice slips allocated against these names to traders in advance. However, the traders could not collect the rice from these anonymous slips due to the obstruction of the local people during the distribution. About 18.5 metric tons of rice remained in the warehouse after the distribution on the day before Eid-ul-Azha.

The administration has said that there are irregularities in the VGF list and that this rice will be distributed later by preparing a list. However, there have been indications of irregularities in the preparation of this list.

It was known on the spot that 57.45 metric tons of rice were allocated for 5,745 extremely poor people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha in Baldia Union No. 8 of Bhurungamari Upazila. Each extremely poor person will receive 10 kg of rice. The list of these extremely poor people was prepared by the chairman members. Later, the upazila committee verified and approved the list. However, the names of about 2,000 well-off and service holders were included in the list. After complaints were raised, the names of about 2,000 well-off and employed people were kept in this list prepared before the last Eid-ul-Fitr. The chairman and members sold the rice allocated in these names.

When this incident came to light during the last Eid-ul-Fitr, local conscious people raised complaints about the distribution of rice allocated for Eid-ul-Azha. Later, the administration distributed rice to the people who received slips along with the names included in the list. The list included the names of about 2,000 anonymous people who had received slips. Later, when no one was found to take the undelivered 18.5 metric tons of rice, it was sealed in the Union Parishad warehouse.

Teachers Arman Ali and Ashrafuzzaman said that they did not know how their names were included in the VGF list. They feel that they have been socially humiliated by including their names in the list.

The leader of the Union Swechchhasebak Dal Lutfar Rahman said, “I was shocked to see my name on the VGF list. I don’t know who included my name in the list. The chairman and members sold rice using these names. I demand justice through proper investigation.”

On June 6, the day before Eid-ul-Azha, thousands of extremely poor men and women came to the union parishad to collect rice and returned empty-handed in the evening. They said that the rice was not given to them because their names were not on the list. Many of them received rice on Eid-ul-Fitr but did not receive it this time. Some complained that the chairman and members sold their slips.

UP Chairman Mozammel Haque said, “I distributed rice on Eid-ul-Fitr using this list. This time too, it was distributed using this list. The names of some well-off people were included in the list by mistake. The allegations of selling slips are not true.”

The officer in charge of rice distribution in the union, Rabiul Islam, said, “On the last day of distribution, 1,840 people on the list did not come to collect rice. About 18.5 metric tons of rice has been kept in the warehouse and sealed for these people.”

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Golam Ferdous said, “The rice distribution has been stopped because the list is incorrect, and the remaining rice will be distributed after correcting the list.”