Local administration has seized 2,632 kilograms of rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme from some villages under Godagari Upazila in Rajshahi District on Thursday night.
Acting on a tip-off, Godagari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Faisal Ahmed and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shamsul Alam in cooperation with police conducted separate drives in different areas and recovered the rice which was allocated for the distressed and poor households for free distribution.
UNO Faisal Ahmed confirmed that a huge amount of rice was being trafficked from the office of Gogram Union Parishad (UP).
The UNO further said that 24 metric tonnes of VGF rice were allocated for the UP for distribution among the poor and distressed households to mark the forthcoming Eid-Ul-Fitr. But, the rice was being trafficked instead of distribution on Thursday afternoon.
Sensing the matter, local people informed the UNO over phone instantly.
"We have seized 29 sacks of rice from Dhatma Village, 17 sacks from Dhatma Bridge area, eight sacks and 85 empty sacks with seal of the Department of Food from the house of one Muktadir in Gogram Hatpara Village of the upazila," the UNO added.
Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Mominul Haque said, a case has been lodged with Godagari Police Station in this connection.
However, two persons were arrested on charge of purchasing the trafficked rice, the PIO added.
