Photo : Messenger
In Lama upazila of Bandarban, allegations have emerged regarding the distribution of government grants for Polu farming houses under the 'Top Project for Poverty Alleviation in Hill Districts through Silk Farming Expansion and Development.' This project aimed to uplift the livelihoods of the region's farmers.
Around 150 farmers were supposed to receive a total of 60 million Taka from the government budget for building Polu farming houses. However, the situation took an ugly turn, with some farmers having to pay bribes ranging from 5,000 to 22,000 Taka per house to access their rightful grants.
The allegations extend to the involvement of officials and employees from the Lama Upazila Office. It's alleged that Farid Uddin, the manager of the Bangladesh Silk Development Board in Lama Upazila, included individuals who had no connection to silk farming or Polu in the list of beneficiaries. This has resulted in the misappropriation of funds meant for Polu farming houses.
Moreover, there are claims that officials favored their own relatives by including them in the project without adhering to proper rules. One field worker, Nurul Islam, stands accused of extorting 20,000 to 22,000 Taka from beneficiaries for their inclusion.
To add to the complexity, some beneficiaries were added to the project without being involved in silk farming. This issue raises concerns about the project's mismanagement.
An investigation is promised by the project director, Mr. Sirajur Rahman, to address these irregularities. He has also pledged that beneficiaries will need to contribute 16 Taka per silkworm plant for three years to help maintain the plants.
A lack of proper monitoring has made it difficult to address the problems faced by beneficiaries. Temporary staff members of the Lama Silkworm Farming Expansion Center have been accused of extorting money from local beneficiaries for access to the Polu farming house project.
Farmers have resorted to using their cowsheds or kitchens temporarily as Polu farming houses due to a lack of funds. Some beneficiaries have even voiced their confusion, claiming they are not involved in silk farming and don't know how to proceed with the project.
Ferdousur Rahman, the Upazila manager of Lama, acknowledges the presence of irregularities and corruption but points out that not providing the grants to beneficiaries could result in the funds being returned. Therefore, the distribution was carried out based on some decision.
The allegations of corruption and irregularities in the Lama Polu Farming House project have raised serious concerns about the proper utilization of government funds meant to benefit farmers and alleviate poverty in the region."
Messenger/Rafiqul/Sun Yath
