Irregularities Alleged in Purbadhala Farm Incentive List
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Allegations of widespread irregularities have been raised over preparing and distributing of the government's incentive beneficiary list for the farmers affected during Boro rice season in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona.
According to complaints, many genuinely affected farmers were excluded from the list, while government employees, expatriates, political activists, tea stall owners, ride-share bikers, garment workers, and journalists were included as beneficiaries despite having no direct involvement in farming.
Local farmers alleged that the beneficiary list was prepared without proper field verification. Instead, they claim it was compiled at the Upazila Agriculture Office based on information provided by local political leaders, elected representatives, and influential individuals, with the assistance of sub-assistant agriculture officers.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, 1,063 beneficiaries from seven of the upazila's 11 unions were selected for the incentive distribution program.
As the list was published, residents found that many were not engaged in farming. Some allegedly came from vicinities where no crop was damaged at all. And, unfortunately, many genuinely affected farmers were left out. Some farmers also alleged that several members of the same family were included and that some names appeared multiple times.
The controversy has sparked protests and let aggrieved people organised press conferences in several unions. Farmers demonstrated during incentive distribution at Ghaghra on June 10, Jaria on June 15, and Hogla on June 16, alleging a lack of transparency in the selection process.
More than 10 written complaints have been submitted to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), demanding cancellation of the current list and preparing of a new one based on proper verification.
Farmers also alleged that during distribution, the names, fathers' names, and National Identity Card numbers of listed beneficiaries were altered to provide benefits to relatives and associates of influential individuals.
Several farmers said those who worked in the fields year-round and suffered crop losses were excluded, while people with no connection to farming received public assistance.
A review of the list allegedly found that more than 30 percent of the beneficiaries neither owned agricultural land nor engaged in farming. Complaints have been filed with the UNO, who has assured residents that such deviation will be investigated.
Local sources also alleged that some sub-assistant agriculture officers collected beneficiary information, including National ID details, through mobile phones and WhatsApp rather than conducting field visits. They claimed some officials rarely visited their assigned areas and lacked accurate knowledge of local farmland and crop damage.
Several sub-assistant agriculture officers, however, denied the allegations, claiming the list was prepared using field-level information. However, they acknowledged that some unintentional errors may have occurred because of the time limitation.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Jubayer Hossain said the list had to be prepared within a short period and that excessivie rainfall after its completion caused further crop damage, leaving some genuinely affected farmers outside the program.
UNO Md. Shafiqul Islam said incentives are being distributed according to the district administration's allocation. He confirmed receiving several written complaints and said legal action would be taken if the allegations are proven through investigation.
Local lawmaker Masum Mostafa said he was unaware of how the beneficiary list had been prepared but added that the Agriculture Department would take necessary action if irregularities were found.
Under the incentive program, each eligible farmer is entitled to Tk 3,000 and 15 kilograms of rice in an installment. Over three installments, each beneficiary is expected to receive a total of Tk 9,000 and 45 kilograms of rice. Two installments, totaling Tk 6,000 and 30 kilograms of rice, have already been distributed.
