Dhaka:Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid has issued a stern warning that the licences of newly appointed fertiliser dealers will be revoked if any irregularities are found in the distribution process. Officials involved in such practices will also face departmental action.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister delivered this warning during a meeting focused on fertiliser supply for the upcoming Rabi season, held at the ministry's conference room. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, stating that dealership areas must be determined based on factors such as the amount of cultivable land, the number of farmers, and cropping intensity.
The minister directed officials to take legal action against dealers violating regulations and to ensure that fertiliser is sold at government-set prices. He mandated that every dealer's shop display price lists and stock information. Aminur also instructed authorities to conduct regular operations and mobile court drives against artificial shortages, overpricing, hoarding, and illegal fertiliser smuggling across borders.
He further emphasized the use of farmer cards and lists to ensure fair distribution to genuine farmers and highlighted that fertiliser allocations and supplies are being increased in anticipation of the Rabi season to meet any surge in demand. Aminur called for enhanced surveillance, especially in border districts, to prevent smuggling.
Highlighting the government's substantial subsidies on fertiliser, the minister stressed that genuine farmers must receive these benefits. He also instructed officials to monitor the use of urea as an industrial raw material and to take swift action against textile and dyeing factories if found using it improperly.
The meeting, chaired by Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan, was attended virtually by deputy commissioners of all districts and deputy directors of the Department of Agricultural Extension.