‘Some dealers fuelling fertiliser chaos’

Some fertiliser dealers appointed under the previous administration have allegedly been creating artificial shortages and fuelling tensions over distribution, prompting the government to step up monitoring and warn of cancellation of dealerships for those found deliberately causing disorder.
Officials at a meeting on the fertiliser situation at the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday said some old dealers have been manipulating distribution to create artificial crises. 
In some cases, they allegedly use their own people to stage incidents, including purported looting of fertiliser from dealer points, in an apparent attempt to create public disorder and intensify the crisis.
The reports prompted the meeting to call for increased vigilance over dealers’ activities and strict action against those found involved in manipulation, irregularities or deliberate attempts to disrupt distribution.
Agriculture Secretary Selim Khan directed officials to ensure that all fertiliser dealer points remain open during designated business hours and that allocated fertiliser is unloaded at the respective dealer points on time, according to a source who attended the meeting.He instructed sub-assistant agriculture officers to remain present at dealer points during business hours and asked upazila agriculture officers to closely supervise the distribution process.
The secretary also directed that the dealership of anyone found creating or contributing to an untoward situation, tension or disorder over fertiliser distribution be cancelled immediately.

He asked deputy directors of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and upazila agriculture officers to maintain close coordination and immediately inform the authorities concerned of any incident.
Officials were also instructed to ensure prompt action and accountability in cases of irregularities or attempts to disrupt the normal distribution of fertiliser.
The directives came amid growing concern over attempts to create artificial shortages and disorder in the fertiliser market, as the government seeks to ensure uninterrupted supplies to farmers during the ongoing agricultural season.
Meanwhile, an alleged fertiliser-looting incident in Roumari upazila of Kurigram on Monday has added to the tension, although local administration and police said no looting had taken place.
The incident occurred around 11am at the warehouse of M/s Mita-Hasan Enterprise near Mahila College intersection in Bandaber Union. 
Dealer Md Matiur Rahman claimed that around 150 sacks of urea were taken from the warehouse after a tense situation developed over distribution.
Matiur said distribution was scheduled to begin around 9:30am, but he went to the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) seeking administrative assistance as the situation deteriorated. In the meantime, he alleged, frustrated farmers took away around 150 sacks of urea. 
He said the exact quantity would be known after an inventory.
However, Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahabubul Alam Basunia said there had been no fertiliser looting and that distribution was continuing peacefully. 
He also dismissed reports circulating on Facebook about the alleged looting as untrue.
He said fertiliser would be sold through the open market from Tuesday, expressing hope that the move would help dispel rumours surrounding supplies.
The Roumari upazila BNP convener alleged that a group was deliberately creating a fertiliser shortage and causing disorder, adding that efforts were under way to identify those involved.
On Sunday, farmers vandalised the tin fencing of a fertiliser dealer’s warehouse at Kochakata Bazar in Nageshwari upazila after gathering to buy fertiliser but finding no dealer’s staff to distribute it. Police said no fertiliser was looted.
In another incident, farmers blocked a road at Milnibazar in Bhadia Union of Bhurungamari upazila on Sunday after failing to obtain fertiliser. 
The blockade was lifted after the administration assured them that an additional 20 tonnes would be allocated and distributed within two days.