Khulna Correspondent:

The wind of change has started blowing in the Khulna Food Department. The newly joined District Food Officer (DC Food) Mohammad Tanvir Hossain has started extensive field activities and surveillance since assuming charge.

After joining the Khulna District Food Controller Office on August 31, he started field supervision of the city's OMS (Open Market Sale) activities from September 15 after organizing his official work. Every day from morning to afternoon, he himself is present at various OMS points in Khulna metropolis and is playing a direct role in preventing black marketing, corruption and irregularities.

During the field inspection, DC Food Tanvir Hossain gave various instructions to the dealers. He said, "My main goal is to ensure that the benefits of the government's food-friendly programs reach the real beneficiaries."

To this end, he instructed the dealers to be present at the product delivery point on time, make necessary corrections in the master roll, store the list and signatures of at least 300 beneficiaries every day and complete the sales activities quickly to reduce the suffering of the common people in long lines.

He also said that he has also given necessary instructions to the General Manager of Khulna Food Warehouse to ensure the supply of quality rice and flour.

Currently, the Food Department is conducting OMS activities in wards 7, 10, 12 and 15 out of the 31 wards of Khulna metropolis under its own management; in the remaining wards, activities are being carried out through dealers. However, some complications are being created in official work due to the management of the activities by office officials. For this reason, he has requested to appoint dealers quickly.

During the field supervision, based on the complaints of some consumers, irregularities were proven against Messrs. Salam Enterprise, an organization run by Abdus Salam Dhali, an OMS dealer of Sheikhpara, ward 20 of the city. They sold 390 kg of rice and 480 kg of flour at a higher price through dishonest means. For this, a fine of Tk 23,449 for rice and Tk 35,262 for flour—a total of Tk 58,911—was collected and the sales activities of that OMS point were suspended for three days.

In addition, he said that defects were found in the flour supplied by some flour suppliers—Asha Food, Nazmul Food, and Mohana Food.

Flour is being sold at a total of 18 places in nine upazilas of Khulna district, with a ton of flour sold at two points each, totaling 31 tons. Low-income people are benefiting from this by purchasing flour at affordable prices, said DC Food Tanvir Hossain.

Addressing the dealers, he said, “If you find any problem or defect, let me know directly. I will take immediate action. However, if evidence of black marketing or irregularities is found, strict action will be taken and the license of the concerned dealer will be canceled.”

Local residents and beneficiaries said that since he took charge, a new environment of discipline, transparency, and accountability has been created in the Khulna Food Department.