The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has transferred Satkhira Sadar upazila agriculture officer Abu Sayeed Shuvro with immediate effect (stand release) over allegations of irregularities and corruption in the distribution of tree saplings.

He was stand-released by an order signed by DAE director general Md Abdur Rahim on Thursday, 16 July.

He has been ordered to join the office of the Zakiganj upazila agriculture officer in Sylhet district by 22 July.

Abu Sayeed Shuvro joined as Satkhira Sadar upazila agriculture officer on 16 June. On 29 June, allegations of irregularities arose during the distribution of tree saplings, bamboo stakes and organic fertiliser to farmers under the government's tree-planting programme.

Farmers alleged that although bamboo stakes worth Tk 50 each were supposed to be given, stakes worth Tk 10-20 were distributed. Instead of cow-dung-based organic fertiliser worth Tk 600, a company's fertiliser worth about Tk 480 was given. They alleged irregularities worth several lakh taka in the programme, which was implemented for 1,200 farmers.

After news reports on 3 July, the DAE began investigating the allegations, and the stand-release order was issued while the investigation was still going on.

The order did not, however, give any detailed reason relating to the allegations against him.

Asked about the allegations, Abu Sayeed Shuvro told Jagonews24: "I joined this office only a month ago. The person in charge here before me has harassed me in various ways since I joined. He was angry at being transferred from this office. The allegations against me are part of that conspiracy. I am the victim of a planned conspiracy."

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