Kharnai, June 28 (V7N) — Recently, allegations have emerged on social media accusing the Upazila Parishad Chairman of Kharnai Union of misappropriating rice intended for beneficiaries under the Vulnerable Women Benefit (VWB) project. It is claimed that rice distributed between January and May of this year, covering five months, was withdrawn but not properly distributed to the entitled recipients.
 
According to sources, there are 194 beneficiaries in Kharnai Union under the VWB program, which succeeded the earlier Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) scheme. Under the previous VGD program, cardholders received 30 kilograms of rice monthly for 24 months until December last year. The government then extended the program for an additional six months under the new VWB scheme. Due to limitations in the physical VGD cards—such as lack of space for signatures or thumbprints beyond 24 months—the distribution under the VWB project is conducted through a master roll system.
 
However, the current Upazila Parishad Chairman allegedly withdrew five months’ worth of rice, from January through May 2025, for all beneficiaries but failed to distribute it accordingly.
 
Meanwhile, in the recent days, Obaidul Haque, a candidate for the BNP general secretary position of Kolmakanda Upazila, has claimed that certain vested interest groups are conspiring against him. He stated that false accusations are being fabricated in an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
 
Victims of the alleged misappropriation have also spoken out on social media, clarifying that they were misled by some parties into making statements against Chairman Obaidul Haque. They asserted that they have received their allocated rice properly and hold no complaints against the chairman.
 
Addressing the allegations, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Kolmakanda Upazila told the media:
 
“No beneficiary is supposed to receive three or four bags of rice at once under the VWB program. So far, no beneficiary has come to me with any such complaint. There is no possibility of such irregularities. My tag officer was present throughout the distribution, and the master roll system requires beneficiaries’ fingerprints to be recorded. If there is any truth to the claims of rice shortage, I will take legal action immediately.”
 
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