Food crisis may loom in hills as stock inadequate
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Our Correspondent
RANGAMATI, Mar 16: Food crisis may hit the poor in hilly areas in the coming dry season as stocks of foodgrains at the upazila godowns are insufficient.
Unduly transfer of 'Demand Order' (DO) of foodgrains from different upazila godowns to Sadar Upazila, and sales of those in the black markets are the main causes behind the likely food crisis, sources said.
Basically, the hilly people suffer from severe food crisis in the dry season every year.
In last three years (2007-2009), the ethnic people in CHT had experienced severe food crisis due to 'rat-invasion'.
There is an official rule to maintain stock of 500 tonnes of foodgrain in each concerned godown in 10 upazila headquarters of the district.
But except for the Sadar Upazila godown, only 100-150 tonnes of foodgrain are kept in the godowns of each upazila, selling out the remaining foodgrains in the black markets in collaboration with the district food controller, sources alleged.
DC Food (district controller of food) Tapan Kumar Das, was allegedly, involved in this malpractice in connivance with some dishonest food traders and ruling party men, sources said.
One year back on being transferred to Rangamati as DC food, Mr Das allegedly got involved in various irregularities and corruption, such as transfer of 'DO' from different upazila godowns to district Sadar Upazila godowns, realisation of bribes from concerned godown officers in-charge, labour handling and food grains carrying contractors.
He also allegedly formed a three-member syndicate, headed by himself, comprising Kawkhali food officer Monir Ahmed and sub-food inspector Ashoke Kumar Dhar, for running illicit activities, which a investigation is expected to reveal.
Recently, the government allotted 5,000 tonnes of foodgrains against different Kabikha (food-for-work) projects and 4,000 tonnes for test relief in 10 upazilas of Rangamati district from District Relief and Rehabilitation Office (DRRO), sources said.
RANGAMATI, Mar 16: Food crisis may hit the poor in hilly areas in the coming dry season as stocks of foodgrains at the upazila godowns are insufficient.
Unduly transfer of 'Demand Order' (DO) of foodgrains from different upazila godowns to Sadar Upazila, and sales of those in the black markets are the main causes behind the likely food crisis, sources said.
Basically, the hilly people suffer from severe food crisis in the dry season every year.
In last three years (2007-2009), the ethnic people in CHT had experienced severe food crisis due to 'rat-invasion'.
There is an official rule to maintain stock of 500 tonnes of foodgrain in each concerned godown in 10 upazila headquarters of the district.
But except for the Sadar Upazila godown, only 100-150 tonnes of foodgrain are kept in the godowns of each upazila, selling out the remaining foodgrains in the black markets in collaboration with the district food controller, sources alleged.
DC Food (district controller of food) Tapan Kumar Das, was allegedly, involved in this malpractice in connivance with some dishonest food traders and ruling party men, sources said.
One year back on being transferred to Rangamati as DC food, Mr Das allegedly got involved in various irregularities and corruption, such as transfer of 'DO' from different upazila godowns to district Sadar Upazila godowns, realisation of bribes from concerned godown officers in-charge, labour handling and food grains carrying contractors.
He also allegedly formed a three-member syndicate, headed by himself, comprising Kawkhali food officer Monir Ahmed and sub-food inspector Ashoke Kumar Dhar, for running illicit activities, which a investigation is expected to reveal.
Recently, the government allotted 5,000 tonnes of foodgrains against different Kabikha (food-for-work) projects and 4,000 tonnes for test relief in 10 upazilas of Rangamati district from District Relief and Rehabilitation Office (DRRO), sources said.