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Confrontation over procurement of low quality rice: Food officials assaulted

From M A Ali Himu
Natore. Feb. 9: A con-thana food department in Natore and a circle supported by the ruling party, over not purchasing about 64 metric tons (800 bales) of low quality rice under the government rice purchasing programme, has left all works of the food godown closed since 1st February, it la reported.
As a result, about three tbousand labourers who worked under food for work (FFW) programme; are not getting their wages. At the same time, selling of 2.50 metric tons of rice every day under Open Market Sale (OMS) has been remaining closed. Local businessmen have Increased the price of rice following the closing of OMS programme. On the other hand, the food officials of Shingra thana escaping under the threat of the clr cle. .
On 31st January (the last
day of purchasing rice) sup-brought 64 metric tons. 800 bales rice to the thana food godown. Abdul Kuddus technical food inspector examined the sample and identified Insects, lively worms and clotted worms into the sam-ple rice.
The rice was also above the required humidity of 14 per cent, fn this circumstances. officials of the food department raised an objection to receive the rice. Tnen Putu and his supporters assumed aggression on the officials — Rahman. Shingra Thana Food Controller. Abdul Kuddus. Thana Technical Food Inspector and Morshed All. Officer in Charge of Local -Supply Department. They assaulted them and threatened to kill them. The officials refused to receive and some how managed to escape the spot later. An application was submitted to Shingra police station to file a FIR in this
connection but the applica-ffMKfof the influence of the circle. The officials of Shingra food office have been remaining absent from their office due to lack of security of life, the officials said in a letter to Kamrul Hassan. DC Food of Natore district.
When contacted. Abdul Jabbar TNO of Shingra than, told this correspondent that the food officials should re-ceive the low quality of rice because such quality of rice had been collected earlier. When contacted Kamrul Hassan, DC of Food in Natore told this correspondent that if low quality of rice as was collected earlier, the rice would be rejected and responsible persons for collecting such rice would be punished. He added that the food department was not bound to receive the supply of Putu and so the supply should be t^en back from the godown
Kamrul also disclosed that the target of rice purchasing in Shingra thana was 1000 metric tons of rice and 99.7 per cent of the target was already achieved till the last day of rice procurement.
However, the police and the thana administration has not taken any measures yet to smoothen the operation of the office and to ensure the security of the officials. The TNO and the OC of Shingra thana are allegedly playing a mysterious role while dealing this matter, a food official said on condition of anonymity.
On the other hand. Natore unit of Bangladesh Food Inspector Sammity (BFIS) in a meeting expressed deep concern over this unpleasant incident and have urged the higher authorities to take action in this matter. Otherwise. they threatened, they would be abatrain from their work.