Lessees of various markets in Bogura have launched a big trade in hasil (market tolls) on the sale of sacrificial animals. Buyers are having to pay double the government-set toll in some places and triple in others.

Most of these markets are controlled by leaders and activists of the ruling party. Money is often taken from both buyers and sellers in breach of the rules. This was found on visits to various markets.

At every market there were arguments with buyers of sacrificial animals over the toll. Many buyers claim no action has been taken despite complaints to the local administration. They say no toll list or instructions have been put up at the markets.

Large numbers of sacrificial animals are arriving at all the markets at the last minute. Wholesale buyers and traders are more active than ordinary buyers. For various reasons cattle prices are higher than last year, and the toll is being set in line with the price of the cow, although it is supposed to be fixed per cow or goat.

During visits, toll lists were not seen at most of Bogura's markets. Instead, separate teams of workers were active at the markets to collect extra money. There are 15 large markets in Bogura Sadar, Dupchanchia, Shibganj, Gabtali and Shajahanpur, besides many other animal markets. The main large markets include Mahasthan, Dhaper Hat, Banani, Sultanganj and Sabgram.

Seasonal markets are held in many places every year for Eid-ul-Azha, and on that count 57 animal markets have been set up in Bogura. One of the main ones is Mahasthan. On market day last Wednesday, many sacrificial animals had arrived. Buyers at Mahasthan said there was outright "toll terror" at the market. Instead of the fixed Tk 500 per cow, Tk 1,000 to 1,200 was collected, and instead of the fixed Tk 150 per goat, Tk 500 to 600. Sellers have also been brought under the toll for the first time this year and are having to pay Tk 300 to 500 on average.

The lessee of Mahasthan market is Shafiqul Islam, brother-in-law of Ragibul Ahsan Ripu, MP for the Bogura Sadar seat. Last year Ripu himself was the lessee; this time he is running the market through his brother-in-law.

Likewise, among Bogura's large markets, Ranbagha market is controlled by Mahfuzur Rahman Raj, general secretary of the Sadar upazila Awami League; Dakumara market by Zulfikar Rahman Shanto, general secretary of the district Swechchhasebak League; Jamur market by Jubo League leader Motin Sarkar; Chandmuhu market (khas collection) by Shafiqul Islam Shafiq, president of the Sadar upazila Awami League and upazila chairman; Namuja market by Awami League leader Mahbub Alam; Dhaper Hat by Moyna, an associate of Jubo League leader Motin Sarkar; Kalitola market by Mahbub Khokon, younger brother of the municipal mayor Rezaul Karim Badsha; Banani market by Kabir Ahammed Mithu, general secretary of the Bogura Motor Workers' Union; Kichok market by Shahjahan Chowdhury, vice-president of the Shibganj upazila Awami League; and Daridaha market by Tutul Hossain, vice-president of the district Swechchhasebak League.

Bogura Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Firoza Parvin said the instruction is to collect at most Tk 500 per cow or buffalo priced over Tk 50,000 and at most Tk 400 for those under Tk 50,000 at every market. The district administration has set the lessee's toll at Tk 150 per goat or sheep. There is also a government order to put up a list of tolls at every market.

Several buyers said lessees had hired teams of workers at every market to collect tolls, and they were forcibly collecting two to three times the proper amount. Asked about this, Zulfikar Rahman Shanto, lessee of Dakumara market, said a large market is hard to manage, so some boys from his party are working there. But no money is being collected by force, he said.

On the charge of collecting double per cow and triple per goat at Mahasthan, lessee Shafiqul Islam said extra collectors and a number of people had to be hired for Eid to run the market smoothly, and the amount of the annual bid for the market had also risen. He claimed that Tk 800 per cow is being taken from the buyer and Tk 200 from the seller this year, and Tk 400 for a goat.

The situation is worst at the Sabgram and Kalitola markets inside the town. Buyers who bought cattle there said tolls of Tk 1,200 to 1,400 were taken at will. The slip given on the lessee's behalf for the toll shows only the price of the cow, not the amount of the toll. Buyers who refused to take such a receipt were threatened and driven out of the market.

Bogura Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam said no one had complained of excess tolls. He is alert to the issue and will run mobile courts at any market if needed to stop excess tolls.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.