Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) authorities have urged the government to constitute a high-powered commission for reorganising the Corporation and to determine its future course of activities

In a recent letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, the BADC authorities mentioned about the anxiety and a state of uncertainty prevailing over the future of the Corporation that employs 19,000 people.

The letter said that the uncertain situation should come to an end for the sake of agricultural development as well as for the overall economic progress of the country.

It was suggested that the high-powered commission Should be headed by the agriculture minister. Members of the proposed commission should include MPs. agriculture experts, economists. Chairman of the BADC. and representatives of the ministries of finance, planning and law.

According to the proposal, the secretary of the agriculture ministry will act as the member-secretary of the commission.

Over a couple of months ago government appointed a committee headed by the add I tional secretary of agriculture ministry to look into the BADC affairs and to suggest its restructuring. The committee has not yet submitted any report.

BADC authorities opposed the formation of such a committee and maintained that a high-powered commission was imperative to recommend

about the future of such a big organisation. They said that since this Corporation came Into being 30 years ago with the recommendation of a high level commission, its future should also be decided by another commission of a similar status.

The appointment of such a committee for a big task like the restructuring of the BADC was not appropriate, they observed.

The BADC authorities also mentioned that the Corporation achieved much success in its relentless efforts to increase food production substantially which was the purpose of creating this organisation. The increased use of fertilisers, irrigation equipment and Improved seeds In the country was the outcome of BADC activities, they added.

The BADC's letter to the government regretted that despite Corporation's remarkable success, the government adopted privatisation process in the agricultural sector which has obstructed activities of the Corporation. And this has adversely affected the overall agricultural development. it was alleged.

Thi letter said that the government as well as the donors are considering restructure of the BADC curbing its functions and activities.

Before taking qny decision in this regard, the high-powered commission should evaluate the success of the BADC and consider the whole situation for recommending future activities and restructuring of the Corporation, said the BADC ait 1 iri Hoa