Bagerhat Correspondent
Allegations of irregularities in preparing the list of fertiliser dealer candidates in Bemarta Union of Bagerhat Sadar upazila have prompted a local businessman to seek an impartial investigation and appropriate action through a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner (DC).
The complainant, Abul Kalam Azad, proprietor of M/S Mayer Anchol Traders, alleged that proper procedures were not followed in inspecting warehouses and verifying applicants’ eligibility for fertiliser dealerships in the union. He further claimed that another establishment was placed first on the list despite alleged discrepancies between its warehouse documents and the actual situation.
In his complaint to the DC, Abul Kalam Azad stated that his establishment has a warehouse covering more than 10,000 square feet. However, he alleged that its warehouse was inspected in his absence. He also raised questions about alleged discrepancies between the warehouse-related documents and the actual conditions of another establishment, M/S Super Bengal, owned by Mehedi Hasan Shahin.
According to the complainant, these issues were not properly verified when the dealer selection list was prepared, raising questions about whether candidates were assessed on the basis of their eligibility and actual infrastructure.
He further stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the appointment process, noting that fertiliser distribution is directly linked to agricultural production. Any irregularities in the selection process could deprive eligible applicants of opportunities and raise concerns about the management of fertiliser supplies to farmers, he said.
Abul Kalam Azad has called for a fresh examination of the dealer selection list for Bemarta Union, warehouse inspection reports, documents submitted by applicants and the eligibility verification process.
Asked about the allegations, Bagerhat Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Tanmoy Dutta said the authorities had worked jointly with members of the Fertiliser and Seed Monitoring Committee.
“We jointly inspected each applicant’s warehouse and properly verified the relevant documents in accordance with the rules before preparing the list and submitting it to the Deputy Commissioner,” he said, adding that no rules had been violated in the process. #EK