Research pond leased out and fish sold on tickets at rice institute in Gazipur

A pond used for research at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur has allegedly been leased out in violation of the rules. Fish farmed in the pond were reportedly sold by labour leaders. The fish were sold through tickets costing 10,000 taka per person, but the money was not deposited in BRRI's funds.

People connected with BRRI's farm say the pond, located in the workers' colony at the institute's headquarters, is meant for fish farming and for storing water for research. There are instructions to sell the farmed fish to workers at a fair price, but the pond is not permitted to be used commercially.

According to BRRI sources, the pond was leased for about two lakh taka, ignoring the instructions. On October 31, a government holiday, fish were caught from the pond with fishing rods through tickets sold at 10,000 taka per person.

Questions have been raised about whether BRRI's authorities approved this sale of fish and the commercial use of the pond. There is also much discussion about who received shares of the money from the fish sales.

Several responsible officials of the research institute, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Ajker Patrika that BRRI labour leader Md Alamgir Hossain and Dr Muhammad Habibur Rahman Mukul, chief scientific officer of the ARD division, were involved in leasing the pond and selling fishing tickets.

Asked about the allegations, labour leader Md Alamgir Hossain told Ajker Patrika, "We run our club with the money from selling the fish of this pond." He also claimed they had spent their own money farming fish in the pond.

Alamgir Hossain said, "In 2009, 10 workers were dismissed for political reasons over a fish-selling incident. These families went hungry for 17 years. The money from that day's fish sale has been distributed among them. Some of the money was spent on buying carrom boards and other entertainment equipment for the club."

Alamgir also claimed that a group was running various propaganda against them as part of a conspiracy.

A director-level official of BRRI said unrest began at the institute in May this year over the appointment of a director general. Although Md Rafiqul Islam was appointed director general on July 15, the unrest did not end; instead, irregularities and instability increased at various levels of the organisation. Some people were breaking the rules and committing wrongdoing as they pleased, and several officials were harassed during this period. There are also allegations that these irregularities are happening with the patronage of the current director general.

Asked about the allegations, BRRI Director General Md Rafiqul Islam told Ajker Patrika on Wednesday, "In the dry season, the water of this pond is used for research work. The surrounding farmland is irrigated with the pond's water. There is no scope to use this pond commercially."

The director general added that he is currently abroad. After returning to the country, he will take necessary action if the allegations are found to be true.

In 2009, 10 BRRI workers lost their jobs over an incident of pond leasing and fish selling. Inquiries have found a link between the current incident and that fish sale 17 years ago. The question now is whether the irregularity will be investigated after the director general returns, and whether any action will be taken against those whose names have come up.