Over 50 trees sold without tender
Over 50 roadside trees on Kalaiya-Showla road in the district that were uprooted in the recent storms were allegedly sold without tendering.
Locals alleged that Md Ruhul Amin, acting forest officer of Baufal upazila, sold the trees to timber trader Faruq Hossain of Kalaiya area for Tk 90,000.
Sohrab Hossain, driver of a saw mill, said Faruq took the trees to the mill to make planks.
This correspondent tried to contact Faruq but failed as his cellphone was switched-off. One of Faruq's co-traders said Ruhul sold the trees as they were blocking the road.
Another timber trader said Ruhul sold the trees for only Tk only 90,000, though the market price was at least Tk 1.5 lakh.
This correspondent tried to contact Ruhul but his cellphone was switched-off.
Divisional Forest Officer Ajit Kumer Rudhro said he was looking into the matter and action would be taken against the culprit if the allegation is true.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Baufal Mohammad Abdullah AL Mahmud Zaman said trees belonging to the government could not be sold without auction.
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