Allegations of widespread irregularities, bias and favoritism have been raised over the preparation of the list of farmers eligible for government incentives and humanitarian aid in Kishoreganj’s Nikli upazila, where farmers were hit by heavy rainfall and a flash flood. It is alleged that genuinely affected farmers, sharecroppers and marginal farmers were left out, while the names of local influential people, political activists and their relatives and associates were included in the list.
Affected farmers have expressed anger and frustration over the matter. A written complaint has already been filed with the Nikli Upazila Nirbahi Officer over the alleged irregularities and favoritism in providing government aid to farmers hit by the heavy rainfall. It is reported that in April this year, thousands of acres of ripe paddy in the haor areas of Nikli upazila were submerged in an unseasonal flash flood caused by heavy rainfall. Much of the paddy in many fields rotted and was ruined due to prolonged rain and a lack of sunshine, causing extensive losses for the farmers. To help the affected farmers, the government announced humanitarian aid and incentive programs.
After the announcement, the upazila agriculture department collected information on crop losses from farmers through public-address announcements. Lists of affected farmers were prepared from the upazila’s seven unions, and the names of 3,180 people were sent to the ministry. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief later approved the names of 2,180 people.
On Monday, allegations of irregularities and bias resurfaced over the distribution of relief among affected farmers in Singpur union. Md. Rukon Ahmed, a farmer from Singpur union, said: “I have suffered losses of about seven lakh taka from farming. But my name is not on the list of affected farmers. Yet the names of many who did no farming at all are there.”
Allegations of irregularities and corruption have been raised against Md. Rajib Ahmed, the sub-assistant agriculture officer responsible for preparing the list of affected farmers in Singpur union. Local farmers allege that the list was drawn up irregularly in collusion with some influential people. Over this allegation, Md. Khairuzzaman of Bhatibaratia village in Singpur union has filed a written complaint with the upazila agriculture officer.
Md. Rajib Ahmed, the sub-assistant agriculture officer, denied the allegations. He said: “Public representatives and the village police were present during the verification of affected farmers. With their help, the genuinely affected farmers were identified. The allegations against me are completely false.”
Ismail Hossen, a farmer from Sajanpur Dakshinpara village in Jaraitla union, said: “There have been irregularities in preparing the list of affected farmers. Those who did no farming are getting incentives, while genuine farmers are being deprived.”
The same allegation was made by Md. Jalil Mia, a former member of the Chatirchar Union Parishad. He said: “The list was made through bias and favoritism, leaving out genuine farmers. The names of people who are government employees and have no connection to farming were also included in the list.”
On the matter, Nikli Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosa. Rehana Mojumder Mukti said: “There is no scope for any kind of irregularity or favoritism in preparing the list of affected farmers. But if a written complaint is received, the matter will be investigated with importance and necessary action taken.”
The affected farmers demanded that genuine farmers be identified through a neutral investigation and that their due government aid be ensured. Otherwise, they said, the truly affected farmers would face even greater hardship.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report