Distribution has finally begun of 30 tonnes of GR (gratuitous relief) rice allocated for people hit by floods and river erosion in Nageshwari, Kurigram. The rice, held up long after the floods eased, was being handed out through union parishad chairmen in various unions of the upazila on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Two rounds of flooding in June left people in riverside and low-lying areas of Nageshwari upazila marooned. On 29 June the district administration allocated 30 tonnes of GR rice for them, with instructions to distribute it quickly.

It was alleged, however, that the rice was not distributed even after the floods had receded. Instead, the then upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), Khodadad Hossain, was accused of sub-allocating it to two unions that had not been flooded, in the names of Santoshpur union administrator Firoz Kabir and Ramkhana union chairman Jalal Uddin.

Reports by Jagonews and other media caused an uproar. Meanwhile, Khodadad Hossain was transferred and Mohammad Alauddin joined as Nageshwari UNO. He redistributed the 30 tonnes among nine unions affected by floods and river erosion, and distribution began through the union parishads.

Kedar union parishad chairman AKM Wazidul Kabir Rashed said the three tonnes allocated to his union were distributed from Wednesday morning.

Narayanpur union chairman Mostafizur Rahman said his union received six tonnes and distributed it on Monday.

Kachakata union chairman Sahadat Hossain said his union was allocated three tonnes, which will be distributed soon. Raiganj union chairman Arifuzzaman Deep said distribution would start at 10am on Thursday.

Nageshwari UNO Mohammad Alauddin said the rice was allocated for people affected by river erosion and floods in nine unions of the upazila. Distribution has been going on for two or three days and will continue for another day or two.

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