Mozahidur Rahaman, Khulna Bureau
Allegations of irregularities have surfaced over the appointment of a fertiliser dealer at Dumuria upazila headquarters in Khulna, with G.M. Hafizur Rahman accused of presenting an ice factory as a warehouse and showing a facility in another union to secure the dealership.
Locals allege that he failed to meet the mandatory infrastructure requirements and used a facility belonging to another business of his in Gutudia Union to obtain the dealership for Dumuria Sadar. They have also questioned how he would manage the business while working full-time at a private firm in Dhaka.
The complainants further alleged that Hafizur Rahman’s family had repeatedly shifted its political allegiance. They claimed that after enjoying benefits under the patronage of the Awami League for 17 years, he aligned himself with Golam Parwar, a central leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, following the political upheaval of August 5, 2024, and campaigned on his behalf. They also alleged that he was now seeking benefits by presenting himself as a BNP supporter. These political allegations could not be independently verified.
Md. Ismail Hossain, a resident of Dumuria upazila, said, “A man works in Dhaka and has no valid warehouse in Dumuria Sadar, yet he managed to secure the fertiliser dealership by showing an ice factory. How is it possible to obtain a dealership for Sadar Union by showing a structure in Gutudia Union? Moreover, he has set a prime example of opportunism—supporting the Awami League for 17 years, switching to Jamaat after August 5, and now posing as a BNP supporter.” He demanded the immediate cancellation of what he described as a fraudulent and illegal appointment.
Responding to the allegations, G.M. Hafizur Rahman said, “It is true that I work in Dhaka, but I have trusted personnel to oversee the dealership business. Furthermore, the allegations concerning the premises are unfounded. My dealership has no connection to the change in the political landscape; everything was done in compliance with the rules.”
Dr. Md. Ashraful Kabir, Dumuria Upazila Livestock Officer and a member of the investigation committee, said several written and verbal complaints had been received regarding the alleged misrepresentation of an ice factory as a warehouse and the use of a facility outside the designated union. He said the committee was investigating the allegations and would recommend legal action if irregularities were established.
Dumuria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sabita Sarkar said action would be taken under the regulations if the application details were found inconsistent with the on-site inspection.
Khulna Deputy Commissioner Hure Jannat said strict legal action, including cancellation of the dealership, would follow if an investigation established that it had been obtained through fraudulent documentation.
Local farmers and concerned citizens called for an impartial investigation and appropriate action if the allegations were proven. #EK