Lessor (landlords or property owners) syndicates in cattle markets across northern Bangladesh are openly fleecing both buyers and sellers under the names “Fota” and “Chanda”, collecting Tk500 to Tk700 extra per animal in complete violation of government rules.
Over the past week, this correspondent visited 11 markets across Rangpur, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, and Nilphamari districts. The picture was the same everywhere: no toll charts on display, police stationed in lessors’ control rooms or idling on roads, and even government-appointed veterinary doctors busy writing receipts instead of treating animals.
Analysts estimate the syndicate will illegally pocket over Tk234 crore from the region’s 3.9 million sacrificial animals this Eid.
Law says Tk600 max from buyers, nothing from sellers
According to the government’s Market Management and Lease Policy, lessors can collect a maximum of Tk 600 per cow or buffalo and Tk220 per goat from buyers. Sellers cannot be charged any toll at all. A toll chart must be displayed visibly at every market point.
None of these rules are being followed.
At Rangpur’s traditional Lalbagh market on Sunday, a buyer from Alamnagar station area said, “Previously the receipt was Tk600. Today they are takingTk 800. From some, Tk1,000. They are taking Tk300 from sellers. There is nothing to be done.”
‘They are sacrificing people before the animals’
At Khansama market in Kaunia, buyer Samiul Islam said, “The property owner here follows no rules. They are sacrificing people before the animals are even sacrificed. Where they should take Tk600, they took Tk800 from me. They didn’t even write it on the receipt.”
Seller Abdul Alim added, “I buy and sell cows. Previously they took Tk200 from sellers. Now it’s Tk300. If you don’t pay, the owner’s men won’t let you leave.”
Police in cahoots
Those responsible for stopping the anarchy are themselves part of the problem. At Khansama market, police were seen chatting leisurely in the owner’s control room. At Madhupur market in Kaunia, police were idling on the road, not inside the market.
At Chowdhurani market in Pirgacha, this correspondent found Farazul Islam Ranju, an AI Technician from the Upazila Livestock Department, writing toll receipts – even though he was appointed by the administration for animal treatment.
“I am just sitting here writing receipts,” he said. “Talk to the land owner.”
Receipt writers openly admitted the violations. Babu Mia at Betgari market in Gangachara said, “Tk 700 from buyers, Tk 200 from sellers. The lessors told us to take it.”
Monirul Islam Nayan at Khansama market said, “Tk700 from buyers, Tk300 from sellers.” When asked about no provision to take from sellers, he replied, “This is being taken on the occasion of Eid.”
Mamtaz Miah at Tepamadhupur market explained, “Fota is the extra money taken from buyers above Tk600. Chanda is the money taken from sellers. No receipt is given for either.”
Shawkat Ali Pappu, lessor of Betgari market, said, “Our recommended rate is Tk600. Some people give us an extra Tk150 out of their own volition. That’s it.”
Touhidul Islam, a college teacher and lessor of Khansama and Tepamadhupur markets, admitted, “Due to additional expenses, we are taking Tk200 from buyers as Fota and Tk300 from sellers as Chanda. After Eid, we will follow government rules.”
Tk234 crore extortion, says expert
Shahinur Rahman, a teacher at Rokeya University’s Accounting and Information Systems department, calculated the scale of the extortion.
“If an average of Tk600 extra is taken from both parties, from the market for 3.9 million animals, the lessor syndicate is illegally taking away about Tk234 crore. This cannot happen without the tacit support of administrative officials,” he said.
Rangpur DC Mohammad Ruhul Amin said drives are ongoing. “Those collecting extra money are doing so illegally. We are imposing fines. Our drives will continue.”
Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam added, “Buyers and sellers must be vigilant and cooperate with the administration by providing evidence.”
At Betgari market on Saturday, a mobile court fined two receipt writers Tk14,000. No action was taken against the lessors. When asked why, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Hakimul Islam said, “Everything is being done according to the law.”
