The New Nation - Internet Edition

The Deputy Commissioners - the key-point holders in public administration of the Republic - have raised the point formally to the President in their annual conference held in capital this week.

The DC's alleged that there are cases of corruption and malpractices in the disbursement of agri-loans /credits to the farmers at the field level. By all counts this is a serious allegation that needs to be addressed more seriously and without loss of time.

These alleged corruption charges need top-most priority for at least two reasons.

First, the charges have been raised by persons who are the most vital post holders in the district set-up ofthe public administration.

It is believed that the DCs are not supposed to raise petty matters in their deliberation with the Head of the State. They have perhaps, told the whole truth -- nothing less other than the truth. Secondly, it concerns with the food production in the back drop of the prevailing near femine situation (officially hidden hunger) of the country.

There exists no second opinion in the country that we need to facilitate the food-production in the country on war footing or else we shall have to pay an unaffordable cost as we did in 1974.

It appears to us that there exists an unholy combination of corrupt local public representatives, who select and recommend agri-loan applicants, and the bank officials (at branch level or above) and they together are doing this heinous job taxing the farmers. It should be investigated into and the wrongdoers be brought to justice.

Abu Musa Miah

Lalbagh, Dhaka.

Dhaka.