In Cumilla city, government-appointed fair price dealers—many of whom are now affiliated with the BNP following the fall of the previous Awami League government—are allegedly involved in serious irregularities, aided by the District Food Officer.
According to local sources, 35 dealers in Cumilla receive 20 sacks of flour and one tonne of rice daily, meant to be sold to the public at subsidised rates (5 kg flour for Tk 120 and 5 kg rice for Tk 150). However, substandard goods are being distributed, and most customers receive only 3 kg of each.
Dealers anonymously report that the District Food Officer collects Tk 2,500 from each of them every other day—totalling around Tk 37,500 per dealer per month. Although an official representative is supposed to monitor sales at dealer shops, in practice they are absent.
In addition, truck-based sales of lentils, sugar, and oil are allegedly diverted to the black market after minimal public distribution.
Dealers also claim the Food Officer extorts large sums from the flour mills supplying the goods. When contacted for comment, District Food Officer Nitya Kund invited journalists for tea but offered no clear response. He later said action would be taken if formal complaints against dealers were received.
