Diesel Subsidy in Sylhet Region
Deadline ends, many farmers deprived
An amount of Tk 1.4 crore meant for diesel subsidy for farmers has remained non-disbursed in greater Sylhet region as the deadline for disbursement ended yesterday.
The situation has arisen as 3288 farmers, listed for the diesel subsidy, could not yet get their bank accounts opened with their nearest banks while a good number of poor and marginal farmers were left out from the list.
Admitting the matter, Matiur Rahman, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Sylhet region, said, “We have already asked our district and upazila officials to make a list of employees responsible for the irregularities in this regard.”
Sources said Tk 36.39 crore was sanctioned for the four districts in Sylhet region for distributing among the marginal, poor and mid level farmers in assistance for diesel during the last boro season. Accordingly, the upazila officials were asked to transfer the amount to the individual bank accounts of the farmers.
But Tk 94.99 lakh in Sunamganj, Tk 37.71 lakh in Habiganj, Tk 2.23 lakh in Moulvibazar and Tk 6.18 lakh in Sylhet district remained non-disbursed.
According to the government decision, the banks were asked to complete the transfer of subsidy money by 24 June as the sanction would be cancelled otherwise.
Consequently, the farmers will be deprived of getting the government subsidy, the DAE official said yesterday.
In total 4,23,784 farmers were listed for the cash assistance for irrigation through diesel-run equipment in the four districts of Sylhet division this year. Of them, 4,20,496 opened their bank accounts for Tk 10 each.
But over 3200 others could not open bank accounts mainly due to delay and complexities in preparation of farmers' list and opening bank accounts as well as political influence at the local level.
Marginal and small farmers having maximum 1.49 acres of land got Tk 800 each while mid-level farmers having 1.5 to 2.49 acres of land got Tk 1000 in assistance for diesel.
Boro farmers in Sylhet region were badly affected as crops on about one lakh hectares of land went under water due to early floods this year.
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