'Wheat syndicate' in Thakurgaon

Allegations of irregularities and corruption have surfaced against politicians and bureaucrats over procurement of wheat in Thakurgaon’s Ranishongkoil Upazila.

An estimated 4,120 tonnes of wheat is to be procured from farmers of the Upazila during the current season but it looks like they cannot sell directly.

Allegations are that politicians, bureaucrats, public representatives and local clubs have joined to form powerful syndicates through whom the procurement will have to happen.

Upzila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and other officials on Thursday signed the first list of those from whom the wheat would be procured.

Those on the list would buy wheat from market and supply them to the government storage at Tk 27 per kg fixed by the government.

Upazila Food Officer Rezaul Mostafa, Upazila Agricultural Officer Majedul Islam and Thakurgaon-3 MP Yasin Ali have confirmed the first list is ready.

However, UNO Asraful Islam could not be contacted.

Eight Union Parishad (UP) chairmen of the Upazila sent a written complaint to the deputy commissioner (DC) on the matter.

DC Mukesh Chandra Biswas told bdnews24.com that he would probe the allegation.

Upazila Food Officer Mostafa said the government had announced buying of wheat for Tk 27 per kg from farmers.

On Friday, businessmen bought wheat at Tk 18-20 per kg from the local market.

Farmer Nurul Islam said they had not been permitted to sell wheat to the government directly even after fixing of procurement price.

They had no other choice but to sell wheat at Tk 18-20 a kg to local businessmen, he said.

The difference between the government price and the market price is Tk 9-10.

Islam said the syndicate would buy wheat from them and supply them to the store at the price set by the government, pocketing a neat profit.

The enlisted individuals and organisations include MPs of Thakurgaon-2 and 3, Upazila chairman, vice chairman (male), former chairman, municipality mayor, and other politicians of Awami League, BNP, Workers Party, Jatiya Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh and National Awami Party.

Eight UP chairmen, Awami Juba League, Krishak League, Chhatra League, Jatiya Krishak Samiti, Mohila Awami League, Press Club, Muktijoddha Sangsad, District Parishad chairman, procurement committee, OC-LSD and TSF also figure in the list.

So do officials like Deputy assistant agricultural officer, Upazila Karmachari Samonnoy Parishad, Upazila Officers Club, Krishi Udbuddhokoron Karmoshuchi, Agriculture Office Staff, Food storage staff and UNO.

Upazila Food Officer Mostafa said wheat was being bought from the farmers on the basis of 'first come first purchase'.

He, however, feigned ignorance on the allocation of 100 tonnes of wheat for him.

Asked why he had signed the list, Mostafa said, “I gave my approval since everybody has taken the decision.”

UNO Asraful Islam switched off his cell phone. His house was also locked.

Thakurgaon-3 MP Yasin Ali said he had distributed the allocation of 600 tonnes of wheat meant for him to the local farmers.

On the enlistment of organisations like Officers Club, he said the proposal of purchasing the wheat had come through these organisations, but it was not implemented.

Upazila Press Club President Mobarak Ali declined to comment on the matter.