Irregularities alleged in paddy procurement in Debiganj
Allegations of widespread irregularities have surfaced in the ongoing paddy procurement process at the Debiganj Local Supply Depot (LSD) under the Food Department.
Although the Food Department claims that farmers were selected through a lottery system in accordance with government rules, it has been alleged that, in many cases, businessmen are supplying paddy to the government warehouse in place of the selected farmers.
Local sources claim that some traders have obtained farmers’ tokens by paying them Tk 1,000 per tonne of paddy. Allegations have also been raised against certain officials, including the Food Officer and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the LSD, regarding their involvement in the process.
Questions have also been raised about the fairness of the lottery system. Debiganj Upazila consists of 10 unions and one municipality.
According to procurement records, 82 farmers from the municipality were selected through the lottery, while only 16 farmers from Dandapal Union were selected, despite Dandapal being one of the area’s major paddy-producing regions. Similarly, 72 farmers from Debiganj Sadar Union were selected, compared to only 10 farmers from Changti Union.
Under the government procurement programme, 1,080 tonnes of paddy will be purchased directly from 360 farmers across the upazila. However, 154 of the selected farmers are from only the municipality and Sadar Union, while the remaining nine unions received an average allocation of just 23 farmers each.
Many local farmers have questioned this apparent disparity and demanded greater transparency in the selection process.
Farmers have also alleged that journalists were not present during the lottery, raising further concerns about accountability.
The government procurement price has been fixed at Tk 1,440 per maund, while paddy is currently selling for only Tk 900 to Tk 1,000 per maund in local markets.
Farmers argue that they are being deprived of the opportunity to sell their produce at the higher government rate.
They claim that the objectives of the government’s procurement programme are being undermined by corruption and the influence of trader syndicates.
When asked about the apparent imbalance in farmer selection 154 farmers from the municipality and Sadar Union compared to only 10 from Changti Union and the allegations of irregularities in paddy procurement, Debiganj Food Officer Zakaria Ahmed denied any wrongdoing.
He stated that many selected farmers are not interested in supplying paddy to the government, forcing the department to procure paddy through traders.
He also explained that a large number of online applications had been submitted from the municipality and Sadar Union, while comparatively few applications were received from the other unions.
