Government food officials kicked off cheap rice sales across the city to control rising prices. The program started July 1st with just 11 areas but will cover 40 neighborhoods starting Monday. Each approved dealer gets one ton of rice and one ton of flour to sell at fixed rates. Customers can buy rice for 30 taka per kilogram and flour for 24 taka per kilogram. Food Controller Md. Fakhrul Alam said dealers for 29 additional wards have been chosen and given their supplies.
The dealer selection process faced major problems last year when 420 people applied for positions. Several applicants filed a High Court case against the appointment system. Food inspectors and contractors working under the former Awami League government faced accusations of taking bribes during the selection process. Court orders stopped all dealer appointments until June 30th because of these legal challenges.
Corruption complaints poured into the district office about two specific food inspectors who used political connections. District employees and dealers claim these officials formed a powerful group that controlled the food department for years. The same group became active again during recent dealer appointments despite the government change. Written complaints about unethical payments reached both the appointment committee leader and the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner. Food department officials resolved the legal issues and appointed new dealers on June 26th.
The dealer selection process faced major problems last year when 420 people applied for positions. Several applicants filed a High Court case against the appointment system. Food inspectors and contractors working under the former Awami League government faced accusations of taking bribes during the selection process. Court orders stopped all dealer appointments until June 30th because of these legal challenges.
Corruption complaints poured into the district office about two specific food inspectors who used political connections. District employees and dealers claim these officials formed a powerful group that controlled the food department for years. The same group became active again during recent dealer appointments despite the government change. Written complaints about unethical payments reached both the appointment committee leader and the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner. Food department officials resolved the legal issues and appointed new dealers on June 26th.
