Anomalies in listing flood-hit boro farmers
Highest allocation for the least affected area in Sunamganj
Gross irregularities have been alleged in the preparation of list of affected farmers for distribution of agriculture inputs in Sunamganj district, which was severely hit by the devastating floods this year.
Asking explanation on the 'irrational allotment' of the money sanctioned for special rehabilitation programme, the additional director of the Department of Agriculture Extension of Sylhet division on Monday sent a letter to the deputy director of the DAE of Sunamganj on the basis of some specific complaints.
"It was a surprise to me when I came to know that I am not in the list of affected farmers," said Monai Miah of Ekhtiarpur village, who lost at least 100 maunds of boro crops on two acres of land.
Soab Ali of Tajpur village in Derai upazila lost about 600 maunds of boro crops on 16 acres of land in the last season. But he is being deprived of getting the assistance, as his name has not been included in the list. Milik Miah of Tarol also lost paddy on 20 acres but he is not in the list.
During the last boro season, Sunamganj district suffered highest crop loss of Tk 1127 crore in the region due to the repeated floods caused by the rolling down of waters from the upstream in the Indian state of Meghalaya.
While preparing the list of the affected farmers, the deputy director of agriculture, Sunamganj in connivance with the upazila agriculture officers of Biswambharpur, Chhatak, Doarabazar and Dakshin Sunamganj showed inflated figure of farmers although those were less affected areas, sources alleged.
Some upazilas have been allotted increased amount where the number of farmers is also very few, while some severely affected areas have been allotted very poor amount, sources added.
According to the list prepared by the deputy director of agriculture, Sunamganj, the highest allotment of Tk 2.8 crore has been given to Biswambharpur upazila, which has the lowest crop damage on 4500 hectares whereas Dharmapasha upazila with the highest crop damage on 22,350 hectares has been given only Tk 4.1 lakh.
With 20,900 hectares of damaged land, Shulla upazila has been sanctioned with Tk 2.1 lakh whereas Chhatak upazila with only 9640 hectares damaged land has been given Tk 3 crore. Derai upazila with 11,000 hectares of totally damaged crop land has been given Tk 1.8 crore whereas Doarabazar having 7360 hectares totally damaged crop land has been sanctioned Tk 2.07 crore.
Additional Director of DAE, Sylhet division Dulal Chandra Sarker said the government sanctioned Tk 38.8 crore for the division including Tk 25.8 crore for only Sunamganj district under a special rehabilitation programme during the ensuing Boro season.
Agriculture minister is expected to formally inaugurate the programme in the first week of November, he informed.
The amount is to be given in the form of seeds and fertilizer to the affected farmers. Each of the listed farmers is to get 25 kgs of Urea, 12.5 kg of triple super phosphate (TSP), 12.5 Kg of murate of potash (MoP) and 10 kg seeds.
Admitting "some mistakes" the Deputy Director of agriculture, Sunamganj Sirazul Islam said things had to be done due to political pressure from the ruling party men.
The Deputy Director (headquarter) in the additional director's office in Sylhet Matiur Rahman said the allegation is being probed.
The additional director had already sent an explanation letter to the concerned official, Matiur Rahman added.
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