Rice embezzlement since 2016: AL leader’s dealership cancelled in Khulna  

The dealership of a trader has been cancelled in Khulna for embezzling rice from the government's food friendly programme since 2016.

Sarder Mizanur Rahman, also general secretary of Srifaltala Union Awami League, was the dealer of the food friendly programme at Rupsha upazila under which rice is sold at Tk10 per kilogram.

He was regularly embezzling rice meant for 14 families in the upazila. So, the dealership was cancelled on Monday noon, said sources in the upazila administration. 

Mizanur is a fugitive now.

The 14 deprived people include Shahid Shiekh of Nandanpur village under Rupsa upazila, Md Selim Sheikh, Md Anisur Rahman, Khaleda Begum, Md Rafiqul Sheikh, Nasim Howladar, among others.

The victims alleged that they had submitted their photos and national identity cards in 2016. But they were unaware about the cards and even they did not receive any rice.

"The victims alleged that they did not get any rice. And even they were unaware that they had cards in their names. So, it is clear that Sarder Mizanur Rahman has embezzled their rice," said Nasrin Akter, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

The dealership was cancelled at the meeting of the food friendly committee of the upazila on Monday, she said.

Besides, his security deposit of Tk20,000 was confiscated and a committee was formed to figure out the damage done to the 14 families until the current days, said Nasrin Akter. 

The victim families could lodge case against him, the UNO added.