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Artificial urea crisis looms in Rajshahi

Black marketing by dealers: Lax monitoring by admin

STAFF CORRESPONDENT, Rajshahi
Fertiliser crisis at farmer's level looms large in Rajshahi due to alleged black marketing by a section of dealers taking the chance of lax monitoring by officials concerned, according to information gathered from different areas of the district.
Prices of Urea have already recorded a rise in markets. Urea is selling at prices 30 to 50 more than the government-fixed price of Tk 190 per 50 kg bag.
Most of the dishonest dealers who are trying to reap benefit by creating an artificial crisis ahead of the peak season for fetrtiliser use are linked with ruling BNP, it was gathered.
The district administration's efforts are limited to alerting only the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) about a possible artificial crisis.
Seeking anonymity, a senior administrative official said they are receiving secret complains almost everyday against many of the 81 dealers in the district, but can not take any action because the unscrupulous elements are
backed by ruling party lawmakers. Some are backed by a minister, they claimed.
"If this situation continues, an artificial crisis of fertiliser is inevitable in the region", he said.
One such allegation was raised against dealer Mofiz Uddin, owner of M/S Rimon Enterprise in Tanore upazila on Tuesday.
Mofiz, also a former organising secretary of Tanore BNP and chairman of Chanduria Union Parishad, lifted 480 bags of Urea from Rajshahi buffer stock godown on Tuesday. He took only 80 bags to his store at Chanduria and sold 50 bags overnight among local retailers, it was alleged. Mofiz is close to a minister.
On Wednesday, he sold 400 bags in the black market.
Rajshahi buffer godown incharge Siddikur Rahman told newsmen that Goutom, a fertiliser trader of Rajshahi town, lifted Mofiz's quota by showing an authorisation letter from Mofiz.
Tanore UNO Abdul Mannan visited the store on Wednesday and told reporters that he could not see the 480 bags of fertiliser in
Mofiz's godown. "Even his godown has no place for accommodating 480 bags", the UNO said.
Sources said that as per rule, upazila agriculture officers are supposed to check dealers' stores after lifting of fertiliser. But this was ignored in case of Mofiz who have been engaged in the practice for last several years under political cover.
Mofiz denied the allegations and told newsmen that he sold the lifted Urea among farmers. "It is not impossible to sell 400 bags among farmers overnight when the demand is high", he pleaded. However, he admitted that he often authorises Goutom to lift his quota.
When contacted, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Aziz Hasan told The Daily Star that he did not order probe as he did not get any complaint against Mofiz. The DC however said he will order a probe and take action if any complaint is lodged against Mofiz.
"I have asked all UNOs to remain alert of any possible irregularity", he said.