OMS Rice Pilferage in Rajshahi
Culprit caught red-handed
Magistrate Razzakul Islam inspects open market sale at Barnali Moar in Rajshahi city yesterday.Photo: STAR
The magistrate conducting an investigation into the allegation of pilferage of rice meant for open market sale (OMS) identified a dealer taking 510kg less than his daily allocation of three tonnes of rice from the public granary at Seroil Colony in the city yesterday. The magistrate, Razzakul Islam stopped the rented truck of OMS dealer M Shakil at the granary gate and counted that there were six sacks less than 35 sacks (each containing 85kg rice) that he was scheduled to receive from the granary, said Sherajul Islam, regional controller of food in Rajshahi division. "The magistrate also checked official record of the granary that showed dealer Shakil was given the full amount of his daily allocation. The dealer was allowed to start the day's sale for convenience of people. But, we stopped issuing him further allocations. Process is underway to suspend him,” said the food controller. Magistrate Razzakul Islam said he would not talk to the media until he completes the investigation. He, however, said they got allegations of selling out of OMS rice right from the granaries. Following directives of high ups, Rajshahi deputy commissioner Muhammad Delwar Bakht assigned the magistrate to conduct an investigation to verify The Daily Star report published on Sunday. When contacted, dealer M Shakil told this correspondent that the granary staffs mistakenly gave him less than allocated amount of rice. Replying to a question, he said, “I was not present during loading of the truck and my men who were present could not understand the matter.” Asked whether he sold out the six sacks of rice right from the godown, he replied in the negative. Contacted at his office, the granary officer-in-charge Azahar Ali showed documents that say Shakil was given his full allocation. “The question of wrongly giving him less than allocated quantity of rice does not arise as the dealer's men were present on the scene during loading of the truck.” Asked whether rice is being sold in black market from the godown, he too said, 'No'.
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