Jamaat demands probe into alleged irregularities in fertiliser dealer appointments

Party alleges political favouritism, corruption and mismanagement behind fertiliser shortages; calls for transparency and accountabilityMM Rahmatullah: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded an immediate investigation into alleged irregularities, corruption, political favouritism and nepotism in the appointment of fertiliser dealers, blaming the government's alleged mismanagement for shortages that have caused hardship for farmers across the country.At an emergency press briefing at the party's central office in Moghbazar on Thursday, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar alleged that the dealer appointment process had been politicised in violation of existing government policies, undermining fair distribution and disrupting agricultural activities. He claimed that political considerations had overshadowed professional qualifications in selecting dealers, leaving eligible candidates disadvantaged and creating opportunities for alleged financial irregularities."There is no shortage of crises in the country; wherever you look, there is a crisis," Golam Porwar said, accusing the government of failing to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fertiliser to farmers.He also criticised the involvement of officials outside the relevant ministry in public statements concerning the issue, questioning why Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shah Alam was speaking on a matter primarily under the Agriculture Ministry.According to the Jamaat leader, political representatives had been included in district-level committees responsible for selecting dealers, raising concerns about the impartiality of the process.He alleged that some dealers had been appointed in exchange for money and that party recommendations had influenced the selection process. These allegations were made at the briefing and could not be independently verified.Golam Porwar attributed the fertiliser shortages to alleged administrative failures, favouritism in dealer appointments, black-market sales and smuggling.He claimed that the prescribed eligibility criteria had not been properly followed in several areas, alleging that lists submitted on political party letterheads had been considered during the appointment process.Citing allegations from Dinajpur, Badarganj in Rangpur and other areas, he said some individuals had received dealership licences despite questions about their eligibility and business credentials.Referring to an investigation by The Dissent, he claimed that fertiliser shortages had affected farmers in the constituencies of 14 BNP lawmakers.He further alleged that some dealerships had been awarded to people living outside the areas they were authorised to serve, while individuals without prior experience in the fertiliser business had also obtained licences.Other alleged irregularities included multiple members of the same family receiving dealerships, as well as the use of allegedly fictitious warehouses and false agreements to secure licences.Golam Porwar also claimed that a list of dealer appointments issued on a BNP letterhead in Pirgachha upazila of Rangpur included the names of political figures affiliated with the Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party.He accused the government of disregarding established rules and alleged that appointments had been made despite a High Court order. He also criticised the state minister for reportedly declaring that BNP's dedicated leaders would receive dealership opportunities.The allegations, including those concerning political influence, financial transactions and compliance with court orders, require independent investigation and verification.At the briefing, Golam Porwar presented six demands aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and fairness in fertiliser dealer appointments and distribution.An immediate investigation into allegations of irregularities, nepotism, political interference and financial transactions in dealer appointments, followed by appropriate disciplinary action against those found responsible.Public disclosure of selection criteria, including the process for preparing dealer lists and the basis on which licences are issued.Legal action against those involved in collecting money in exchange for securing dealership licences, following an investigation into the allegations.Verification of claims about fertiliser shortages, including discrepancies between statements by responsible officials and the actual situation in different parts of the country, with relevant findings made public.Written explanations from the authorities concerned regarding the allegations, alongside regular public updates on the progress of investigations.Evidence-based assessment of accusations against individuals or political groups to ensure that no one is held responsible on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations or political rhetoric.The party said an impartial investigation was necessary to restore confidence in the dealer appointment system and ensure that fertiliser reached farmers without political discrimination or undue interference.Golam Porwar widened his criticism to the government's overall performance, alleging that political patronage and corruption had become increasingly prevalent over the past six to seven months.He accused the government of providing misleading information about the fertiliser situation and attempting to shift responsibility for its shortcomings onto others.Expressing concern over what he described as growing political control over public institutions, he urged citizens to speak out against corruption and administrative failures. He said the July uprising had raised hopes for a new Bangladesh free from corruption, nepotism and repression of opposing views, with governance based on justice, fairness and respect for democratic principles.However, he alleged that the government was moving away from those aspirations by attempting to establish a constitutional framework that could enable it to retain power indefinitely.The Jamaat leader also accused the government of sidelining opposition parties in the constitutional reform process.He said his party wanted constitutional reform to proceed through the Constitution Reform Council in accordance with the legal framework approved through the referendum mandate.Golam Porwar urged the government to involve the opposition in the process rather than unilaterally pursuing constitutional changes. He called for the issue to be resolved through parliamentary debate instead of allowing political tensions to spill onto the streets.He expressed hope that the government would work with opposition parties in the next parliamentary session to advance constitutional reform through the legally prescribed process.Golam Porwar warned that shortages of fertiliser, oil, gas, electricity and other energy supplies were increasing production costs and contributing to higher prices of essential commodities.He called on the government to take effective measures to ease the difficulties facing marginal farmers and urban residents.Fertilisers are essential for maintaining agricultural productivity, and disruptions in their availability can increase cultivation costs, affect crop yields and put additional pressure on food prices.Ensuring a reliable supply, transparent dealer selection and effective monitoring of distribution is therefore important for both farmers and consumers.The allegations raised by Jamaat have placed renewed focus on the need for transparent fertiliser distribution and accountability in public administration. An independent investigation, disclosure of appointment records and a clear response from the authorities concerned would help establish the facts and determine whether any rules were violated. Several senior Jamaat leaders attended the briefing, including Assistant Secretaries General Maulana Abdul Halim and Advocate Muazzam Hossain Helal; Assistant Secretary General and Central Publicity and Media Secretary Advocate Ahsanul Mahbub Zubair; and Executive Council members Md Abdur Rob, Principal Md Izzat Ullah MP, Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda, Mobarak Hossain, Nurul Islam Bulbul MP, Mohammad Selim Uddin and Dr Rezaul Karim. Ataur Rahman Sarkar, publicity secretary of Jamaat's Dhaka North city unit, was also present.