A group has allegedly been attempting to discredit Patnitala food warehouse officer-in-charge Md Golam Mostafa after failing to secure what officials described as unethical benefits during the ongoing Boro paddy procurement drive.
According to local sources, the Patnitala food warehouse was allocated to procure 1,006 metric tonnes of paddy from 345 farmers this Boro season. The target has already been achieved.
Officials said a group repeatedly attempted to enter the restricted warehouse premises and supply paddy despite not being registered farmers. When their attempts were resisted, the officer allegedly faced threats.
The group later allegedly circulated a fake audio recording generated using artificial intelligence (AI), accusing the officer of taking bribes from farmers. The allegations were subsequently used in a report published on a digital platform, officials said.
However, several farmers denied paying any bribes. Farmers Lutfor Rahman and Jahangir Hossain said they sold paddy directly to the warehouse at the government-set price without paying anyone.
Another farmer, Mohammad Anisur Rahman Sujon, said brokers had approached him outside the warehouse seeking illegal benefits but failed to influence the procurement process.
Golam Mostafa said only verified farmers with agricultural cards and certification from the agriculture department were allowed to supply paddy. Payments were made directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the WQSC system, he added.
Patnitala Upazila Food Controller (acting) Aminul Kabir said farmers were verified with assistance from the agriculture department and there was no scope for non-farmers to supply paddy. He also said no cash transactions were made at the food warehouse.
