The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE dumping of a large quantity of rice in Chittagong has sparked sharp controversy at different levels. The dumping has been at such a critical time when the people are passing through a severe food crisis. Why could such a sizeable quantity of rice remain undistributed and 'rot' when the supply was scarce. Were proper laboratory tests conducted before declaring the rice unfit for human consumption? Only a complete investigation would help find answers to such questions. Out of 2,200 tonnes of rice donated by Pakistan for Sidr victims 1,700 tonnes were distributed. A sizeable quantity of the remaining rice has been dumped. People from the neighbourhood collected the 'rotten rice' from a ditch and found those 'not fully rotten'. Officials of the joint forces in the port city also said that a certain quantity of consumable rice was dumped.

A number of important things needs to be covered by the investigation. The foremost objective should be to see whether the rice had been examined properly before being dumped. The investigation must also findout why consumable rice was thrown away with the 'rotten' rice. It needs to be unearthed whether the rice dumped was actually a part of the consignment donated by Pakistan or if there was any motive behind the dumping. The total quantity of rice should also be determined to find out whether any misappropriation was involved. Act of sabotage cannot altogether be ruled out. It must also be found out how such a quantity of rice could rot and whether there was any negligence in the maintenance of the rice. The persons found responsible for this, if any, should be punished for negligence of duty.