Associates of Shamim Osman are stepping forward under the BNP banner
Miad Hossain
Secretary of the Food Ministry, Md. Masudul Hasan, is reportedly facing threats after initiating efforts to dismantle a powerful syndicate that has long dominated the food sector. Since his appointment in October, Hasan has implemented a series of actions to disrupt the entrenched influence of syndicate members, who have now allegedly banded together to undermine him. Sources claim the syndicate held a secret meeting in Motijheel, led by a prominent food contractor, and pooled together 10 crore BDT to launch media campaigns and file petitions aimed at discrediting the secretary.
Upon taking office, Secretary Hasan enforced new regulations to curb the dominance of syndicates such as those led by Sohag, Jashim, and Sadhan. These groups, entrenched in the sector for years, have controlled the operations within the ministry and the Directorate General of Food (DGoF), reportedly manipulating food supply channels to serve their interests. Hasan's actions have exposed questionable practices by some mill owners and dealers, leading to further backlash from the syndicate, which has expanded its ranks to include contractors affiliated with the opposition BNP, a first-time occurrence in their structure.
Sources within the ministry reveal that Hasan, along with the Director General of the DGoF, Md. Abdul Khalek, has introduced various reforms aimed at restoring transparency. His measures have disrupted monopolies in the distribution of government-allocated wheat, especially to private flour mills in Narayanganj and Dhaka. This policy, initially formulated in 2022 under former Secretary Ismail Hossain, was reportedly misused to favor syndicate-aligned contractors and mill owners, sidelining others and enforcing a monopoly. Hasan's directives have restored regulated allocations, ending the hold that a few influential mill owners previously held over distribution.
On November 5, Md. Abdus Salam, a DGoF official, issued an “urgent” letter to district food officers in Dhaka and other densely populated areas, seeking opinions on whether to grant government wheat allocations to syndicate-aligned mills in Narayanganj. This request, seen as a move to protect syndicate interests, has led to discontent among other mill owners across the country, who warn they may seek higher intervention if such favoritism continues.
The syndicate's influence is reportedly sustained by extensive financial incentives given to corrupt DGoF officials. These incentives allegedly include cash, luxury gifts, real estate, and fully-sponsored international trips. Officials aware of the syndicate's protection often disregard ministerial orders, knowing the group will shield them from accountability. For 17 years, this syndicate—centered around Shamim Osman's allies—has prevented many independent mill owners from fairly accessing government-allocated wheat.
The syndicate's controversial practices include the resale of high-grade government wheat on the black market, using substandard wheat in flour production for profit, and engaging in allocation manipulations that trigger frustration among mill owners. Md. Jashim, one of the key figures in this syndicate, is currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for embezzling 500 crore BDT in government wheat, raising questions about why such allocations continue to favor alleged syndicate members despite ongoing inquiries.
