Staff Reporter :
Complaints of irregularities in relief distributions in the flood affected areas of Moulovi Bazaar districts are on rise as floodwater is receding over the last two days. The complaints include supply of lower amount of rice than announced by the local administration and denying many of the relief goods on the ground that their names were not on the list of the recipients.
Local sources told The New Nation that most flood victims in the Kulaura Upazila are receiving lower amount of relief. Similar anomalies are also feared at other flood-hit areas. Complaints galore that relief distribution dealers and Union Parisghad functionaries are having their hands behind the irregularities to make their own forture out of the plight of the flood victims.
Gita Rani Dutta, an old woman went to Tilagaon union office from Tajpur village and returned empty handed as she learnt “her name was not on the list” of the flood victims.
She complaints she came to the Union office for four days but the local dealer did not give her relief. Even she can’t enter the office, they pushed her out, she said.
Tam Malakar – a resident of Bijli village in Tilagaon union said he got 17 kg rice as against 20 kg as announced by the local authorities.
Abdul Karim, — another flood victim was complained he received 18kg and 200gm of rice against 20 kg. .
In Rauthgaon union, Union Parishad authorities promised 10kg rice on Wednesday but Abdul Mukit – another flood victim said he got only 7 kg.
A former headmaster of a primary school in Sharifpur union, Paulush Topno has been quoted by the local sources as saying the Union Parishad chairman had announced each person would get 18kg rice and additional 2kg for those who will be helping the victims to carry the rice.
Kulaura Upazila Nirbahi Office sources acknowledged the “shortcomings”and said each sack of rice must be weighing as they come from food depots at 50kg but they are short of several kg in every sack.
“It is possible that victims might be receiving less in relief amount,” the source said making the assurance that his office will take steps to end the fraud.
