PM: 11 dealers expelled, 40 accused of relief mismanagement

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said 11 dealers were expelled and 40 others accused in cases filed over irregularities in open market sale (OMS) rice and relief distribution across the country. 

The premier made the statement while addressing a video conference with the representatives and officials of Dhaka division’s nine districts on Thursday morning.

The video conference was aired live on state and private television channels from the prime minister's official residence, Ganabhaban. 

The prime minister said: “At least 61,579 elected representatives of the country, including the 350 MPs, are working to distribute the relief among the poor."

“Though the number of allegations is low, we do not want even a single allegation.”

“Moreover, some are trying to hamper others image through chaos. This practice needs to be avoided as well,” she added. 

The premier said: “We are taking proper action against those who were involved in such illegal activities.”

“Not one instance of misuse of the relief allocated for the poor, even by my party members, will be tolerated,” she warned.