Irregularities in TCB dealer selection alleged

 
SONARGAON, NARAYANGANJ, Aug 12: Allegations of irregularities have surfaced over the appointment of dealers for Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) products in Sonargaon, with local traders claiming that genuine grocery businesses were overlooked during the selection process.
The allegations centre on the verification process for dealer appointments in Baradi and Kanchpur unions. Traders have accused Shahin Alam, an assistant engineer of the Sonargaon Public Health Department, of violating the government guidelines while preparing a verification report.
Nine traders applied for TCB dealerships in the two unions. Applicants were required to have genuine grocery businesses, valid trade licences, shops and storage facilities capable of holding 10 tonnes of goods, among other conditions.
According to the report submitted to the Narayanganj deputy commissioner (DC)'s office on August 6, Jannatul Store owner Jamal Hossain and Fahima Enterprise were recommended for dealership.
However, local traders alleged that neither is a genuine grocery business.
A visit to Jannatul Store at Shantir Bazar found cookware on sale, while its signboard described it as a cookware shop. No grocery products were found there.
The allegations have raised questions about whether the government guidelines were properly followed during the verification process.
Shahin Alam denied submitting the report, saying he had gone on leave following his father's death. He said someone from the UNO's office had submitted the report on his behalf and added that he would conduct the verification again.
Sonargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer Asif Al Jinat said information on all nine applicants had been verified and a report submitted. However, he said he was unaware of any recommendation in the report and that the matter was being looked into.