Food grain carriers start 72-hr strike in Rajshahi, Rangpur divisions

Some 250 contractors, who transport food grains for 163 government warehouses in 16 districts under Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, yesterday started a 72-hour strike to protest harassment by food officials.

The contractors alleged that they were forced to call the strike as unloading of over 100 truckloads of food grains were either refused or delayed in the last two months by the food officials on ground of substandard quality.

They only transport the grains, procured by the government, from one government warehouse to another, they said, adding that ensuring its quality cannot be their responsibility as the grain is procured by government officials.

Shah Alam, general secretary of the Food Grain Transport Contractors' Association in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, said the food officials delayed or refused to unload trucks at 10 government warehouses during the period.

“How will we ensure the quality of the food grains? Some officials are procuring the low-quality food grains and other officials are not willing to bear their responsibilities,” he added.

Contacted, Mohammad Moniruzzman, regional controller (RC) of food, said, “I spoke with the contractors and assured them of taking necessary steps.”

In order to probe into the allegations, they yesterday formed a three-member committee headed by the district controller of food in Bogra, he said, adding that the committee has been given one week's time to submit its report.

The contractors said, the warehouses where most of the 100 trucks were refused to be unloaded were in Shantahar of Naogaon and Muladuli of Pabna districts.

The trucks were also refused in Shingra, Bonpara and Gurudaspur in Natore; Bogra Sadar; Talora in Sirajganj; Mohimaganj and Kandia in Gaibandha; and Thakurgaon Sadar.

Due to the refusal, the contractors had to incur losses as the trucks, hired for one day, were forced to overstay. 

The general secretary of the association, Shah Alam, said food officials are supposed to declare the status of the grains before those are loaded onto a truck, but the officials often ignore the rules.

For each day of delay, they incur a loss of Tk 4,000, he said, adding that they were forced to start the 72-hour strike, but they would declare an indefinite strike if the authorities concerned do not take proper measures.