Growers cry foul - again

Flood-affected growers stage sit-in against large scale corruption in the distribution of seed and fertiliser.

SUKKUR: Hundreds of flood-affected growers staged a sit-in outside the office of the Thull Mukhtiarkar on Thursday, alleging large-scale corruption in the distribution of seed and fertiliser. This is the third mukhtiarkar to be appointed recently — the former two were transferred after allegations of corruption and the newest official, Abu Bakr Sadhayo, took charge just two days ago.

Farmers from union councils all over Thull had gathered outside the office to receive tokens for seed and fertiliser, however, they grew angry over the alleged ‘favouritism and nepotism’ with which the tokens were being distributed. They started to protest and shouted slogans against the mukhtiarkar.

The farmers told journalists that Abu Bakr Sadhayo was handing the tokens to people he liked. Other influential men, including MPA Mir Hassan Khoso and former taluka nazim Akbar Banglani, are also using their political clout to give tokens to growers of their own choice.

Complaining about corruption in the distribution of relief, the protesters said that trucks of relief items were unloaded at the godowns of influential people while the flood survivors were forced to beg for their survival.

They also complained that the mukhtiarkar has been changed thrice in recent times but every official appointed sooner or later falls prey to corruption. First it was Abdul Malik Khoso, who was suspended and then transferred because of corruption charges, then Mushtaq Jatoi. He too was suspended and transferred just two days ago because of protests against his alleged corruption.

Jacobabad DCO was unable for comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2011.