In Mohammadpur Upazila of Magura, there have been allegations of political sharing of 40 percent of the VGF rice allocated for the poor on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Local sources have informed that this share has been determined for the leaders and activists of the government party. The fact that the matter came to light has created intense anger among the common people and the real poor.

According to Union Parishad sources, 435.35 tons of rice have been allocated by the government for 43,563 poor, poor and poor families in 8 unions of Mohammadpur Upazila on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, it has been alleged that about 40 percent of this allocation has been pressured to list the VGF cards through the leaders and activists of the government party.

On-site investigation revealed that although there were allegations of irregularities in the distribution of VGF cards in the past, it was mostly done secretly. But now, allegations of sharing are being made openly. This has created a fear that the real poor and needy people will be deprived of this assistance.

Some panel chairmen, who did not want to be named, said that under pressure from the Upazila BNP leaders, about 40 percent of the VGF cards had to be given to their nominees.

However, the former convener of the Upazila BNP, Maimur Ali Mudha, denied these allegations. He said that there is a committee in each union for the distribution of VGF cards. The committee has two representatives from the parliamentarians. They assist the union council in preparing the list. There is no scope for any kind of sharing here.

In this regard, Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Md. Rashedul Islam said, there is no scope for distribution based on the Eid VGF card quota. The rule is to provide this assistance only to the real poor and needy people. I am not aware of the 40 percent share of the political party. Meanwhile, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Despite multiple attempts to contact Shahanur Zaman by cell phone, he did not answer the call.