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JS body for fertiliser build-up to face crisis

Staff recruitment anomalies in agri ministry during Nizami's stint

Staff Correspondent
A parliamentary body yesterday advised the government to build up fertiliser stocks in upazilas to contain the 'artificial' crisis and make fertilisers more easily accessible for farmers.
A ruling BNP lawmaker also alleged anomalies in appointment of 25,000 block-supervisors when Matiur Rahman Nizami was agriculture minister.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture Ministry in a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban yesterday said it had come to know that some unscrupulous traders were trying to create an 'artificial' crisis of fertiliser to make extra profits.
Fertiliser prices have been escalating in different districts since the beginning of current Boro season that hit hard the farmers. This may also affect the food production, the meeting observed.
The committee recommended the finance ministry funnel Tk 19.20 crore in agricultural subsidy into
buying fertilisers, seeds and diesel fuel and immediately distribute them among the grassroots farmers.
The JS body also asked the government to keep sharp watch on the fertiliser market and import 50,000 tonnes of triple super phosphate (TSP) immediately.
The committee has decided to hold two meetings a month instead of one until the crisis was over. It will again sit on February 29 to review the situation.
"The prices may have risen due to manipulation by a section of unscrupulous traders, as we are informed. Besides, increased transportation costs and a pricehike on the international market have also contributed to generating the crisis," Abdul Mannan, chairman of the committee, told newspersons.
Agriculture Minister MK Anwar however reiterated his assurance that there would be no fertiliser crisis as the government had already ordered Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation to import TSP fertiliser.
"We have also asked the district monitoring cells to mount a keen surveillance on the market so that no body can create any artificial crisis," the minister reportedly told the meeting, chaired by A Mannan, with committee-members and officials present.
ANOMALIES
Shah Shahid Sarwar, a BNP lawmaker and committee member, alleged anomalies in appointment of 25,000 block-supervisors during the tenure of Matiur Rahman Nizami as agriculture minister.
"Questions were leaked before examinations, but the exams were not cancelled. Some joined the service before getting appointment letters," Sarwartold the meeting.
The parliamentary body asked the ministry to probe the allegation and submit a report at its next meeting.