A controversy has erupted in Khulna after an Awami League leader was listed as a farmer representative in the district’s rice procurement and monitoring committee for the current Boro season. The Khulna District Food Controller’s office submitted the proposed committee list, which included the name of Mallik Abid Hossain Kabir, vice president of Khulna Metropolitan Awami League. Upon reviewing the file, the Deputy Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction and returned it, questioning the justification for including a politically affiliated person as a farmer representative.

According to district administration and food department sources, the government set procurement prices at Tk 36 per kg for paddy, Tk 49 for parboiled rice, and Tk 48 for non-parboiled rice. The committee was supposed to be formed in early May to ensure smooth operations. The District Food Controller, Md Tanvir Hossain, downplayed the issue, saying similar committees had existed since 2010 and that the delay was due to a DC conference. However, other sources claimed the move was an attempt to rush approval without proper oversight.

The incident has reignited debate over transparency and political influence in administrative committees, with calls for genuine farmers to represent agricultural interests.