Jumbangla Desk: Messrs. Chowkidar enterprise license owner of Kamarhat market in Patharghata upazila of Barguna. Zakir Chowkidar has been accused of selling seed potatoes at exorbitant prices by creating artificial crisis.

In this incident, on Tuesday, November 26, Kakchira Union said. Son of Lahu Jomaddar. Masud Jomaddar made a written complaint to Patharghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer.

According to the written complaint and the source of the victimized farmers, it is known that the private agency Brak said the dealer Md. Zakir Hossain Chowkidar was instructed to sell seed potatoes at Tk 79 per kg, but Zakir Chowkidar has been selling seed potatoes at Tk 115 per kg, showing the shortage of seed potatoes.

Farmers adjacent to Sonali Bazar of Kalmegha Union who bought seed potatoes. Hafiz, a farmer of North Kupdan village of Ward 1 of Kakchira Union. Chhobahan, farmer of Ward No. 7 of the same union. Several farmers including Jahangir Khan said that since there is no dealer to sell seed potatoes in the area, Zakir Chowkidar has been selling them at much higher prices than the price set by BRAC by creating an artificial shortage of seed potatoes.

They said that while the price of seed potato is set at Tk 79 per kg by BRAC, Zakir Chowkidar is selling it at Tk 115 per kg and we are forced to buy it.

If asked to know, Brak Regional Agriculture Officer. Abu Said said dealer Zakir Chowkidar has been instructed to sell seed potatoes at Tk 79 per kg. Appropriate action will be taken against him if there is proper proof of selling at higher price.

Masud Jomaddar, the victim of the written complaint, said that the highest potato production in Barisal division is in Rupdhan and Kupadhan areas of Patharghata, because there is a huge demand for seed potatoes here, Zakir Chowkidar, the only seed potato dealer in the area, illegally sells potato seeds at high prices every year without following the rules or instructions of the authorities. The owner of a large sum of money has gone to Bune.

He also said that we have given a written complaint to Patharghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer in this regard and hope to get justice. Patharghata Upazila Executive Officer Md. Roknuzzaman Khan said that a complaint has been received, if the complaint is found to be true, action will be taken quickly.

Meanwhile, Zakir Chowkidar denied the complaint and said that compared to the demand of seed potatoes in Patharghata, Brak is not able to supply me seed potatoes as a result of which some farmers are angry because I am not able to supply seed potatoes as per the demand of the farmers.