UP chairman accused of selling VGD rice

Local administration on Sunday evening sealed warehouse of the chairman of Fazlupur Union Parishad in Fulchhari upazila of the district following allegation of misappropriating rice meant for Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) 

Earlier on the day, it was scheduled to distribute 30 kilograms of rice under VGD programme among 316 ultra poor card holders of the union.

Habibur Rahman, chairman of the upazila parishad, was present there for inauguration of rice distribution but prior to distribution, shortage of rice was noticed in the stock.

Being suspicious, the upazila chairman asked Akram Hossain, upazila social welfare officer to verify the stock and the latter found 7,030 kg against the original stock of 9,480 kg of rice in the warehouse.

Habibur Rahman alleged that UP chairman Joynal Abedin Jalal earlier sold out 2,018 kg of rice in the black market.

On information, UNO (in-charge) Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan rushed to the spot and sealed the warehouse of Jalal, said the social welfare officer.

Despite repeated calls, this correspondent could not reach the UP chairman Jalal for his comment on the issue as his cellphone remained switched off.