ACC forms body to probe rice hoarding

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday formed a three-member committee to probe allegations of illegal food stockpiling by hoarders, in connivance with a section of dishonest food officials.

The deputy director of the commission, Ahmaruzzaman, will lead the three-member committee, while two other members are assistant director Salauddin and deputy assistant director Saiduzzaman, sources in the commission said.

The ACC formed the committee following an application submitted by one Abdul Haque from Gulshan, alleging that a section of unscrupulous businessmen, with the assistance of some dishonest government official, had hoarded food items to create an artificial crisis in the market and embezzled crores of Taka through the illegal hoarding.

They have violated the Essential Commodities Act-1995 and The Essential Articles (Price Control and Anti-Hoarding) Act-1953 by hoarding and embezzled a huge amount of money by creating an artificial shortage of food grains in the market, according to the application.

A strong syndicate is involved in this illegal act to tarnish the image of the government, according to the application.  After receiving the application, the commission formed the committee, which will be supervised by director Sayeed Iqbal, ACC sources said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ACC chairman, Iqbal Mahmood, at a programme said they have received complaints that a section of food officials is taking undue advantage from some hoarders over illegal stockpiling of food grains.

“Some food department officials and hoarders in collusion with each other were hoarding food, including rice, illegally. The officials of the food department have taken immoral benefits in the form of bribe,” the ACC chief said. The ACC chief said: “We will ensure exemplary punishment against people who are embezzling money from people’s pockets by increasing the price of food items, including rice.”

The three-member committee has started a full-fledged investigation against them under The Essential Articles (Price Control and Anti-Hoarding) Act, sources said. Markets in Bangladesh recently witnessed a huge increase in prices of rice that created mix-reaction among the political leaders and businessmen.  Even, food minister Qamrul Islam, at a press briefing recently, alleged that the only reason behind spiraling rice prices was stockpiling by unscrupulous traders following the flash floods in the “haor” area.

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed recently said the district and police administrations have been directed to arrest those hoarding rice illegally across the country.

‘The rice price is soaring due to the illegal hoarding. Action will be taken against the illegal hoarders. The owners will be arrested if there’s any illegal hoarding of rice,’ he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with leaders of Auto Mill Owners’ Association at the Secretariat.

Recently, the law enforcers conducted a drive at a warehouse owned by the Bangladesh Rice Mills Association chairman, Abdur Rashid, in Kushtia.

ACC forms body to probe rice hoarding

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday formed a three-member committee to probe allegations of illegal food stockpiling by hoarders, in connivance with a section of dishonest food officials. The deputy director of the commission, Ahmaruzzaman, will lead the three-member committee, while two other members are assistant director Salauddin and deputy assistant director Saiduzzaman, sources in the commission said. The ACC formed the committee following an application submitted by one Abdul Haque from Gulshan, alleging that a section of unscrupulous businessmen, with the assistance of some dishonest government official, had hoarded food items to create an artificial crisis in the market and embezzled crores of Taka through the illegal hoarding. They have violated the Essential Commodities Act-1995 and The Essential Articles (Price Control and Anti-Hoarding) Act-1953 by hoarding and embezzled a huge amount of money by creating an artificial shortage of food grains in the market, according to the application. A strong syndicate is involved in this illegal act to tarnish the image of the government, according to the application. After receiving the application, the commission formed the committee, which will be supervised by director Sayeed Iqbal, ACC sources said. Earlier on Tuesday, the ACC chairman, Iqbal Mahmood, at a programme said they have received complaints that a section of food officials is taking undue advantage from some hoarders over illegal stockpiling of food grains. Some food department officials and hoarders in collusion with each other were hoarding food, including rice, illegally. The officials of the food department have taken immoral benefits in the form of bribe, the ACC chief said. The ACC chief said: We will ensure exemplary punishment against people who are embezzling money from peoples pockets by increasing the price of food items, including rice. The three-member committee has started a full-fledged investigation against them under The Essential Articles (Price Control and Anti-Hoarding) Act, sources said. Markets in Bangladesh recently witnessed a huge increase in prices of rice that created mix-reaction among the political leaders and businessmen. Even, food minister Qamrul Islam, at a press briefing recently, alleged that the only reason behind spiraling rice prices was stockpiling by unscrupulous traders following the flash floods in the haor area. Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed recently said the district and police administrations have been directed to arrest those hoarding rice illegally across the country. The rice price is soaring due to the illegal hoarding. Action will be taken against the illegal hoarders. The owners will be arrested if theres any illegal hoarding of rice, he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with leaders of Auto Mill Owners Association at the Secretariat. Recently, the law enforcers conducted a drive at a warehouse owned by the Bangladesh Rice Mills Association chairman, Abdur Rashid, in Kushtia.