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Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah has accused the authorities of widespread irregularities and nepotism in the appointment of fertiliser dealers, alleging that MPs’ wives, children, nephews and other relatives were given dealerships.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday (November 11), Hasnat demanded a review of the recruitment process and questioned Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid over the alleged irregularities.
He alleged that recommendations for dealer appointments had also been made through reserved-seat MPs in exchange for money. In some cases, he claimed, recommendations for 15 union-level positions had been extended to as many as 30 people.
Hasnat questioned whether the government would reconsider dealerships awarded to MPs’ family members, including their wives, children and nephews.
He also alleged that some conditions introduced by the ministry had created opportunities for businesspeople associated with the previous Awami League government to secure dealerships again.
Questioning the culture of family-based business interests among lawmakers, he asked when the practice of MPs securing business opportunities for their spouses, children and relatives would end.
In response, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid explained the dealer appointment process, saying two committees had been formed at the upazila and district levels to oversee the selection.
He said the upazila committee was headed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), while the district committee was led by the Deputy Commissioner (DC).
According to the minister, applications were initially submitted to the DC and then forwarded to the UNO for scrutiny by a committee comprising local agriculture officials and respected community representatives.
The recommendations were subsequently reviewed by a district-level committee comprising the DC, district agriculture officer and other relevant officials.
The six- to seven-member district committee jointly recommended three candidates in order of merit, with signatures from all members, he said.
The recommendations were then sent to the ministry, which approved the first-ranked candidate for the dealership, the minister added.