Govt finalises fertiliser dealer appointments

The government has finalised the appointments of fertiliser dealers in 54 districts across the country, with the agriculture ministry publishing the appointment orders on its website on Friday.

The ministry issued separate orders on Wednesday, signed by Shahnah Akter, an agricultural economist at the ministry, granting dealerships on a provisional basis.

Under the orders, the newly appointed dealers will operate on a trial basis for three months. Their performance will be monitored during this period, and the dealerships will be made permanent if their activities are found satisfactory.

However, allegations of political influence, illegal financial transactions and favouritism have cast a shadow over the government’s appointment of new fertiliser dealers, raising questions about transparency in the selection process.

Allegations of political recommendation and demands for money in the appointment of fertiliser dealers in Khoksa Union of Kushtia have been raised against leaders of the Kushtia district BNP.

Hazrat Ali, joint general secretary of Khoksa upazila Jubo Dal, alleged that Tk5 lakh was demanded from him for a dealership, but he refused to pay. Later, the dealership was approved in the name of Hasan Ali, publicity secretary of the activities-banned Awami League’s Ward 8 unit in Khoksa Union.

Read More

Fertiliser dealer appointments yet to be finalised: Ministry

He claimed to have evidence supporting his allegation of the demand for money, which he also shared with this correspondent.

A copy of the government notification provided to this correspondent shows that a dealership for Khoksa Union was approved in the name of “Yusuf Hasan Traders”. Hasan Ali was named as the proprietor, while the remarks column stated, “Recommended by the district committee, serial No. 1.”
It is learned that, besides Hazrat Ali, Jamaat leader Amirul had also applied for the dealership.

The ministry also mentioned that decisions by the Central Management Committee on Fertiliser Dealers would be final in matters relating to the appointment and cancellation of dealerships.

The development comes after the ministry received 46,095 applications for 4,931 proposed fertiliser dealerships across the country.

District-wise notices inviting applications for fertiliser dealerships were issued in several phases starting in September.

The latest appointment orders mark a step forward in the government’s process of selecting fertiliser dealers to support the distribution of agricultural inputs across the country.