Serious allegations of irregularities have surfaced in the distribution of rice under the VGF program in Atulia Union, Shyamnagar Upazila. According to government rules, each family was supposed to receive 10 kg of rice, but in practice, villagers received only 4.5 to 5 kg.
The distribution began on Monday, 16 March at 10:00 am at the Atulia Union Parishad. On-the-ground inspections revealed that the distribution was not following the prescribed rules. Instead of using digital scales, rice was being distributed in plastic buckets.
Sources from the Shyamnagar Upazila Project Implementation Office reported that, for Eid, the Department of Disaster Management allocated 133.370 tons of rice for 13,337 families in 11 unions of the upazila. In addition, 15.490 tons were allocated for 1,549 families of the municipality. Of this, 13.730 tons was earmarked for 1,373 families in Atulia Union.
However, villagers alleged that the rice was not distributed according to the allocation. Measurements of several packets on a digital scale showed rice quantities ranging from 4.850 kg to 5.300 kg, with the maximum being 5.800 kg. Several women affected stated:
“Instead of 10 kg, we were given only 4.5 to 5 kg of rice. This has caused major hardship for us ahead of Eid.”
The distribution was supposed to be supervised by Upazila Assistant Programmer Shahadat Hossain, but he was absent at the site, claiming he was attending a meeting at the district office. He assured that any confirmed irregularities would be investigated and addressed.
Asaduzzaman, a member of the Atulia Union VGF Committee and local BNP leader, said:
“From preparing the list to distributing rice, the Union Parishad managed the entire process. We only had supervisory responsibility.”
Meanwhile, Union Administrative Officer Kartik Chandra Mondal stated:
“I was unaware that less rice was given. The allocated rice was distributed to local representatives by wards, and the distribution was completed in their presence.”
UP member Mosharaf Hossain admitted:
“We distributed 5 kg per family. Due to extra people beyond the cardholders, we decided to divide the rice so everyone could get some.”
UP Chairman Abu Saleh added that the distribution took place in his absence and acknowledged that rice may have been given elsewhere due to the large number of people present.
Upazila Project Implementation Officer Miraj Hossain Khan stated:
“There is no provision for giving less rice than allocated. If the allegations are proven, legal action will be taken.”
The same assurance was echoed by Upazila Executive Officer Shamsuzzahan Konok.
