More than 50 unsuccessful applicants have alleged irregularities, corruption, financial transactions and political interference in the appointment of fertiliser dealers in Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur.
Claiming they were denied dealerships despite meeting the required qualifications and government conditions, the applicants have demanded an impartial investigation into the recruitment process and action against those responsible for any wrongdoing.
The allegations were raised at a press conference at Nagarkanda Press Club on Sunday morning, where Shaheen Munshi read out a written statement on behalf of the unsuccessful applicants.
The statement alleged that qualified applicants who met the requirements under government guidelines were excluded from dealership appointments in several unions of the upazila.
The complainants claimed that political affiliations, recommendations from influential individuals and financial transactions were given priority over qualifications and experience.
At the press conference, the applicants said State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Faridpur-2 (Nagarkanda-Saltha) lawmaker Shama Obaed Islam had not recommended any particular individual for appointment as a fertiliser dealer.
Instead, they claimed, she had instructed that eligible candidates be selected from among those who owned warehouses and met the conditions prescribed under government guidelines.
The applicants accused Nagarkanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rezwana Afrin, Upazila Agriculture Officer Rezaul Karim and former acting president of Nagarkanda Upazila BNP and Laskardia Union Parishad Chairman Habibur Rahman Babul Talukdar of irregularities in the appointment process.
They alleged that several qualified applicants were denied dealerships, while some individuals without their own warehouses were appointed despite operating from rented premises.
The written statement identified Kamal Sikder of Kaichail union, Abu Sayeed Munshi of Dangi union and Shahinur of Laskardia union as individuals appointed as fertiliser dealers.
The unsuccessful applicants questioned the qualifications, warehouse ownership and political affiliations of some of those appointed.
They also claimed that Shahinur, who secured a fertiliser dealership in Laskardia union, had previously been appointed a rice dealer under the government’s food-friendly programme.
Similar allegations of irregularities and financial transactions were raised over dealer appointments in Ramnagar and Fulsuti unions.
The applicants claimed that their qualifications had not been properly assessed despite fulfilling government requirements.
They demanded the publication of the selection criteria, verification reports and procedures followed in choosing the successful candidates.
However, the upazila administration and agriculture department denied the allegations.
Nagarkanda UNO Rezwana Afrin said the administration had forwarded the names of three qualified candidates from each union.
“The ministry appointed those it considered eligible,” she said.
Responding to allegations of financial transactions, Afrin said, “Making allegations is easy. They have accused us of making appointments in exchange for money. If they have evidence, I urge them to submit complaints to the relevant higher authorities.”
Upazila Agriculture Officer Rezaul Karim said a four-member investigation committee had been formed following a notification issued by the Ministry of Agriculture.
“The UNO chaired the committee, while I served as member secretary. After verification and scrutiny, we forwarded a list of qualified candidates. There was no scope for irregularities on our part,” he said.
Habibur Rahman Babul Talukdar, former acting president of Nagarkanda upazila BNP and chairman of Laskardia union parishad, also rejected the allegations.
“I have no involvement with the appointment committee or the recruitment process. Those making allegations may either be doing so without understanding the matter or deliberately trying to damage my reputation,” he said.
“From what I have heard, 99 per cent of those appointed are BNP members. There are one or two whom I do not know personally,” he added.
The unsuccessful applicants called for an independent investigation into the entire fertiliser dealer appointment process.
They also demanded legal action against anyone found responsible for irregularities and urged the authorities to ensure that eligible applicants were properly assessed in accordance with government guidelines.
