Sundarganj fertiliser sold at inflated prices amid artificial shortage in officer's presence, farmers allege; stock records show discrepancies

In Sundarganj, Gaibandha, BCIC-approved fertiliser dealer Tamal Chandra Saha faces allegations of creating an artificial shortage and selling fertiliser at inflated prices. Allegations of discrepancies in the fertiliser stock and distribution registers have also been raised. Farmers allege these irregularities are happening in the presence of the sub-assistant agriculture officer responsible for monitoring fertiliser and ensuring fair distribution. Aggrieved farmers have expressed anger over the incident.

Yesterday, Thursday (29 October), at about 12 noon, the dealer point of Messrs Tamal Chandra Saha at Shovaganj Bazar in the upazila was found closed. Several farmers who had come to buy fertiliser were seen waiting around the shop; some of them had been waiting since morning to collect fertiliser.

Waiting farmers allege that when they go for fertiliser, the block supervisor (BS) and the dealer's staff do not want to give it on various excuses, so they often have to return home without fertiliser. But if they pay an extra Tk 200 to 300 per sack, they get fertiliser as demanded. They allege that with extra money, even a slip is not needed.

Farmers further allege that the sub-assistant agriculture officer responsible for monitoring fertiliser and ensuring fair distribution is also present at the dealer point, and that these irregularities are happening in his presence.

Naya Mia (45), a businessman from Gongsar Hat who came to buy fertiliser, said: “I went for fertiliser at about 12 noon. There were another eight to ten of us businessmen. Fertiliser was going out van by van. Yet BS Mizan was himself present there. When we asked, he just said take it at the end. Later at about 4pm he said there is no fertiliser. Later, calculating, we saw fertiliser exists on paper but there is no fertiliser in the godown.”

A local person, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “I was there when the accounting was done. A discrepancy was found with the stock. After fertiliser sales, a discrepancy of 33 sacks of TSP and 56 sacks of DAP was found in stock.”

An angry farmer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Coming to buy fertiliser at the government price, we have to stand for hours. We are told there is no fertiliser. Yet right before the agriculture officer's eyes, many are taking fertiliser paying Tk 200 to 300 extra per sack. The responsible officer is pretending not to see.”

Dealer-nominated manager Bidhu Ranjan (45) said on the allegations: “No fertiliser has been sold at extra price. Some fertiliser was memoed, and some fertiliser left the premises without a memo. We could not understand these things. The agriculture sir has called me to the office to talk about these matters. I am there. Chandi da is at the dealer point; find out from him.”

Manager's associate Chandi Das, who was beside the dealer point, denied the allegation of selling at extra price and said: “That day, during fertiliser sales, there was a scramble. Who took how many sacks, we understood nothing. Many still have not paid us. We are in loss. That is why we could not reconcile the fertiliser accounts.” Dealer Tamal Chandra Saha, after hearing the allegations by mobile phone, said: “No such incident happened at my dealer point.”

Md Mizanur Rahman Mondal, the sub-assistant agriculture officer responsible for monitoring fertiliser and ensuring fair distribution at that dealer point, said: “At the time of the incident I was in Konchibari Union doing agriculture card work. At that moment sir phoned me and told me to go to the spot. Going there, I saw 10 sacks of fertiliser on a van. When I asked the dealer, he said that fertiliser belonged to two farmers.” Asked whether there was any discrepancy in the stock and distribution registers, he said: “I have heard about the discrepancy, but I have not seen it myself.”

Upazila agriculture officer Md Kaiyum Chowdhury said: “I have heard the matters. I have sought the stock and sales stock register from the dealer concerned. Whether there is any discrepancy in fertiliser distribution is being investigated. If the allegations are found true, action will be taken against those responsible.”

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Iffat Jahan Tuli said: “There is no scope to sell fertiliser at extra price. Discrepancies in fertiliser stock, sales and stock registers are undesirable. The matters will be investigated and necessary action taken.”