Livestock farmers in Rangpur and Gaibandha have accused field-level workers of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) of charging Tk 20 to Tk 100 for administering anthrax vaccines that officially cost only 80 paisa. Over the past two months, the workers are alleged to have collected at least Tk 5 million through the vaccination campaign. Several of the accused staff members have admitted to taking the money.
Farmers and cattle owners said they were asked to pay extra under various pretexts—sometimes labeled as service fees, tips, or small gifts—to receive the government-supplied vaccines.
According to the Rangpur Divisional Livestock Office, cases of anthrax have recently been reported among cows, goats, and sheep in both Rangpur and Gaibandha districts. In response, a mass vaccination drive was launched. As of Wednesday, a total of 221,000 livestock have been vaccinated—168,000 in Rangpur’s Pirgacha, Kaunia, and Mithapukur upazilas, and 53,000 in Sundarganj and other areas of Gaibandha. The campaign is still ongoing.
Cattle owners allege that the field workers are collecting between Tk 20 and Tk 100 per vaccine. At an average of Tk 30, this means the workers may have collected approximately Tk 6.63 million across the two districts.
Golzar Hossain, a farmer from Dewti in Pirgacha, said, “I have seven cows. The livestock staff told me there’s a small government fee and that I’d need to pay something. Some gave Tk 20, others Tk 30, and a few even Tk 50. Some didn’t pay at all.”
In response, a local livestock worker, Md. Ratan Mia, admitted to accepting small amounts but denied wrongdoing. “It’s not correct to call it taking money. No one gives 80 paisa in coins. Some give Tk 10, others Tk 20, or even Tk 5. Nobody is being forced,” he said.
When contacted, Rangpur Divisional Livestock Director Dr. Abdul Hai Sarkar said, “We have not yet received any formal complaint. However, if it is proven that anyone has taken money in the name of vaccination, legal action will be taken.”
