Poor people deprived of VGF rice for discord over list

Ultra poor people of Baro-Dargah union in Pirganj upazila were deprived of getting rice under special allocation before Eid-ul-Azha due to a conflict between the chairman and members of the union over preparing a list of VGF beneficiaries.
The upazila administration suspended distribution of rice on a complaint lodged by the members of the union with the upazila nirbahi office (UNO), saying that the list prepared by the chairman was not fair.
The members alleged that the chairman had included the names of his chosen people in the list, dropping the names of real ones.
The government allocated 651.65 tonnes of rice for distribution among 65,165 VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) cardholders in 15 unions of the upazila on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
Of the total allocation, 45.50 tonnes of rice were allocated for 4,550 VGF beneficiaries of Baro-Dargah union. Each cardholder was supposed to get 10 kgs of rice before the festival.
Upazila administration sources said distribution of special VGF rice among the poor of the union has become uncertain as the union parishad is to prepare a fair list.
Sarwar Jahan Makhon, chairman of Baro-Dargah Union Parishad said the list submitted to the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) was prepared as per resolution of the UP meeting.
“All names were verified before making the final list,” the chairman said, adding that he had given priority to poor people.
Contacted, UNO ATM Ziaul Islam said the list made by the UP chairman was not acceptable to the members of the union.  “I have asked the UP chairman to make a fresh list of ultra poor people in consultation with the members,” the UNO added.