Despite numerous reports across national newspapers and digital platforms, the Directorate General of Food remains under the grip of powerful syndicates.
These syndicate groups continue to operate with impunity, creating obstacles for directorate officials.
Stakeholders, including private flour mill owners, are calling for urgent action to free the department from this control.
On October 29, 2024, the Food Secretary approved the rice flour distribution for November 2024. This allocation followed the Government Wheat Allocation Policy 2022 (Revised), ensuring compliance by private flour mills.
Following this, on November 6, the Secretary allocated wheat to Dhaka and other labour-intensive districts.
However, the Director of the Supply, Distribution, and Marketing Division and other department officials appear resistant to these allocations.
On November 5, Director Md Abdus Salam issued an urgent directive to labour-intensive districts, including Dhaka, requesting input on allocating wheat to mills in the Narayanganj district.
District food controllers, including the Chief Controller of Dhaka Rationing, are reportedly under verbal pressure to endorse allocations favouring mills in Narayanganj within three days. This rapid directive has raised questions about its urgency and intent.
Concerns also mount over the Director’s apparent push to benefit certain individuals, such as Md Jasim and Md Sohag, who are accused of financial misconduct in the Food Department over the past 17 years.
Sources within the milling sector alleged that key officials of the Directorate General of Food have been influenced by these syndicate leaders, with decisions seemingly made at the direction of these individuals rather than following official policy.
Mill owners now warn that illegal allocations may resume in December, disregarding the established guidelines.
They further stated that if these actions persist, they intend to report the issue again to the Chief Adviser. Their complaint will highlight those officials within the Directorate General of Food allegedly engaging in unethical practices to grant undue advantages to Awami League affiliates, particularly to individuals like wheat traders Jasim and Sohag, who have been implicated in misappropriating wheat resources.
The ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of over Tk 500 crore of government wheat, with accusations pointing toward figures like Md Jasim, has further fuelled demands for reform.
The milling community claims traders have been deprived of proper government wheat allocations due to syndicate control for nearly two decades.
According to reports, syndicate members have sold government-supplied wheat on the black market while using lower-quality substitutes to produce flour for public distribution.
This continued exploitation, reportedly facilitated by bribes, has left the Directorate General of Food in a challenging position.
Some millers insist that unless the syndicate’s influence is curtailed, any hope of fair wheat distribution remains bleak.
Appeals have been made to the authorities to address these unethical practices and ensure allocations adhere to the government policy.
