Food Department suspends two Manikganj officials over massive grain stock irregularities at Ghior warehouse

The Directorate of Food has suspended two officials following the discovery of significant discrepancies in the grain inventory at the Ghior Upazila food storage facility in Manikganj. The department has also initiated formal departmental proceedings against the accused personnel for misconduct.

The suspended officials are Farhana Akter, the Upazila Food Controller, and Bipul Kumar, the Acting Officer of the Upazila food warehouse. The suspension orders were issued on Thursday in separate notifications signed by Anirban Bhadra, Deputy Director (Establishment) of the Directorate of Food. District Food Controller Ayub Rayhan confirmed the development.

The investigation, prompted by a physical inspection conducted by a departmental committee on August 25, revealed a shortfall of 100 metric tons of rice and 20 metric tons of wheat. Conversely, the audit recorded an excess of 41 metric tons of paddy and a deficit of 6,500 storage sacks.

The suspension notifications stated that the presence of the two officials in their current roles was deemed inappropriate for ensuring a fair and impartial investigation. Disciplinary cases have been initiated against them under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.

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The irregularities were identified as part of a nationwide special audit aimed at ensuring transparency within the government’s food storage network. Following the findings, a team of senior officials from Dhaka conducted a thorough review of the warehouse’s ledgers, official documentation, and physical stock levels.

Bipul Kumar declined to comment on the allegations, citing the ongoing investigation. Farhana Akter could not be reached for comment, as her mobile phone remained switched off throughout Friday morning.

Authorities have temporarily sealed the Ghior food warehouse to facilitate the ongoing audit and verify the reported inconsistencies. District Food Controller Ayub Rayhan stated that the facility will remain closed until the audit and verification process is complete, emphasizing that the special inspection is part of a broader mandate to ensure complete accountability within the food department.