The government is going tough on looters of relief sanctioned for the poor as the nation fights the deadly coronavirus pandemic. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has formed a special monitoring cell of 53 officials to oversee the relief distribution work among the poor and workless people.
On the other hand, the local government ministry has sought details of members and chairmen in different districts, Upazilas, municipalities and unions in the country who are accused of stealing relief rice. In the wake of the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there are allegations everyday of irregularities in government food distribution in the country, informed concerned officials said. Though the government is providing relief during the outbreak, the issue of looting government relief by some councilors, members, and chairmen across the country has been widely discussed on social media.
Many Facebook users wrote, “The number of accused members and chairmen stealing relief rice is higher than that of the coronavirus infected people in the country.” However, a different picture on relief distribution is also there. A good number of members and chairmen in different unions, Upazilas, municipalities are genuinely contributing to the relief effort for the distressed.
According to information received from different police stations and upazila administrations, at least 550 sacks of rice were stolen in Patharghata upazila, 100 sacks in Bogura, 13 sacks in Natore, 7 sacks in Joypurhat, 635 sacks in Jashore, 338 sacks in Naogaon, 18 sacks in Bagerhat, 10 sacks in Patuakhali, 50 sacks in Jhalokati, 125 sacks in Sylhet, 16 sacks in Mymensingh, 288 sacks in Sariakandi, 100 sacks in Gabtoli upazila and 13 sacks in Shibganj.
As per the information received, police caught Monir Hossain, Kamalapur Union Parishad Chairman of Patuakhali sadar upazila, and two of his accomplices, red-handed while they were selling rice. Another UP Chairman Alauddin Poltu of Kakchira Union Parishad in Patharghata upazila of Barguna district was arrested for the same reason. In Jashore, police arrested two people named Raqib Hasan and Hasibul Hasan after 80 sacks of stolen rice were recovered from their respective houses.
In Natore, a local leader of Awami League in Singra upazila named Shahin Shah was arrested for stealing 13 sacks of rice. Meanwhile, the ACC in a statement on Friday said that it will bring the culprits involved in the misappropriation of government relief meant for the needy to book.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on March 25 said that strict actions would be taken against any kind of irregularities in distributing relief rice meant for the poor across the country. To this end, Local Government and Rural Development minister Md Tajul Islam told journalists, “Members, councilors, and chairmen accused of misappropriation of government relief meant for the poor will not be spared. From our ministry, we told all the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) to strictly monitor the relief distribution activities.”
