Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Employees Union (BADCEU) on Sunday announced its nfne-polnt demand including halt- ‘ Ing of any decision leading to the closure of the corporation and retrenchment of employees.

Speaking at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club, Shamsul Haq, the Secretary General of BADCEU said steps should be taken to reintroduce the collection, Import and distribution of agricultural equipment under subsidy system through the BADC.

He said the move by the Agriculture Ministry to sell all irrigation equipment by the October of this year must be

halted. He said the irrigation equipment sold earlier were mostly used in boats and rice mills. This move lo sell Irrigation equipment did not ton-tribute to 1he agricultural development. he noted.

Shamsul Haq said the poor farmers can not buy expensive equipment. The rich farmers buy these and charge much higher price for the use of the equipment to the poor farmers.

He said Import of fertilizer by private Importers should be stopped. He demanded that the import and distribution of fertilizer should be carried out by BADC.

He said the private traders are charging higher prices of

between Taka £0 to 100 for each bag of T S P fertilizer. The private traders also import low quality fertilizer, he added.

Shamsul Haq mentioned that there will be a crisis of fertilizer In the coming season as BADC has no stock of fertilizer in Its godowns. He demanded the privatisation of disbursement of seed should also be stalled. He said move has been going on to squeeze the seed disbursement activities of BADC although demand for quality seed is high.

Shamsul Haq said the activity of the corporation should be expanded and thus new job opportunity should be created. He demanded the cancellation of the eight-member committee for restructuring the BADC.

He suggested that the restructure move should be taken by forming a parliamentary committee with both Government and opposition members of the Parliament. He said the eight- member committee did not reflect the commitment of the Agriculture Secretary to decide the future of BADC by forming the committee with agricultural specialists, BADC management and representatives of BADC

Shamsul Haq said a Sangram Parlshad would be formed with all frontline organisations. This parlshad will talk with different political leaders to make them aware of the problems of BADC.