Allegations of discrimination in the allocation of relief funds between ruling party and opposition lawmakers surfaced in Parliament on Monday, prompting a firm denial from Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu.

During the question-answer session of the Parliament, NCP lawmaker Akhtar Hossain alleged that relief allocations distributed by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief on April 30 had been directed exclusively to constituencies represented by ruling party MPs.

The Rangpur-4 MP claimed that Tk 8.5 million in cash assistance and 90 tonnes of rice and wheat had been allocated only to government party constituencies.

“Disasters do not distinguish between the ruling party and the opposition. These allocations are made from taxpayers’ money,” he told Parliament.

Rejecting the allegation, the minister said relief allocations are made on the basis of need and demand rather than political considerations.

He explained that the ministry maintains allocations under the General Relief (GR) Cash and GR Rice programmes for deputy commissioners to respond promptly wherever disasters occur.

Regarding Test Relief (TR) and work for food programmes, Dulu said allocations are made upon receiving requisitions from MPs.

“I believe they will receive their allocations within the next couple of days,” he said, while the Speaker also assured opposition lawmakers that they would receive their share.

Responding to a similar question from NCP MP Abdul Hannan Masud, the minister said that following the current government's assumption of office, every parliamentary constituency received allocations of Tk 2.5 million under Work for Money, Tk 3 million under TR, 20 tonnes of rice and 20 tonnes of wheat under food for work during the 2025–26 fiscal year.

He added that additional allocations are provided to both ruling and opposition constituencies based on MPs’ recommendations and local requirements.

Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar-3 MP Lutfor Rahman Kajol urged the government to increase special allocations for his constituency, citing its vulnerability to both tidal surges and flooding.

In response, the minister said the government is continuing the construction of cyclone shelters in disaster-prone areas and closely monitoring the situation.

“If there is a specific request for special allocation, we will certainly consider it,” he said.

Tangail-7 MP Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui sought assistance for residents affected by severe hailstorms in his constituency.

He said many houses had suffered such extensive damage that the sky could be seen through their tin roofs.

The minister acknowledged that hailstorms and lightning strikes have recently emerged as significant natural disasters.

He said reports on the damage had already been collected and noted that no arrangements had been made during the interim government's tenure to procure corrugated iron sheets.

However, procurement has now advanced, and affected households will receive tin sheets once supplies become available.

He also said housing grants would be provided to eligible victims.

Sylhet-6 MP Imran Ahmed Chowdhury raised concerns over the quality of roads, bridges and culverts constructed under the ministry.

While declining to accept the allegations outright, Dulu said MPs themselves are often the strongest advocates for such projects.

“If there is any specific instance of poor-quality construction, MPs should bring it to our notice and we will investigate,” he said.

The minister maintained that bridges and culverts ranging from four to 15 metres in length constructed by the ministry are durable and effective.

The House was also informed that a proposal to extend the tenure of the rural roads, bridges and culverts construction project has been sent to the Planning Commission. New projects will be included once approval is granted.

Replying to a question from reserved-seat Jamaat-e-Islami MP Nurunnisa Siddika, the minister said the ministry has constructed 588 flood shelters, 327 cyclone shelters and 115 disaster shelters across the country.

He added that plans are underway to build another 115 flood shelters, 90 multipurpose shelters and 112 additional disaster shelters.

In response to a question from BNP lawmaker Khairul Kabir Khokon, Dulu said a total of 20.2 million beneficiaries received assistance under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

A total of 202,015.36 tonnes of rice was allocated at a rate of 10 kilograms per beneficiary, he said.

The minister added that the government is considering increasing the quantity of VGF rice distributed to each beneficiary in the future.