Bogra fertiliser stock anomaly happened during hoarding, probe reveals

A three-member probe committee yesterday found that 2,033 tonnes of fertiliser worth Tk2.75 crore was missing from Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation’s (BCIC) Bogra warehouse during stockpiling.

When contacted, BCIC Chairman Haiul Qaium said legal and departmental actions would be taken against those proved to be involved in irregularities.

“A total of 239 metric tonnes of fertiliser worth Tk30.45 lakh was found to be unaccounted for,” Dulal Uddin, a probe committee member, said.

For the dealers of different sub-districts of Bogra, several contractor firms bring fertiliser to the Bogra warehouse from different river ports, including Baghabari of Sirajganj, Khulna and Chattogram. The warehouse has a capacity of 12,000 tonnes.

A shortage of 1,794 metric tonnes of fertiliser worth Tk2.51 crore was detected in the stock that the BCIC warehouse received. 

Former in-charge of the warehouse Anwar Hossain denied the allegation that he had a hand in the matter.

"There was a slight miscalculation in measurement when fertiliser was stored.  If the calculation is done correctly, the allegation against BCIC officials will be proved wrong," he said.