JS body formed to probe fertiliser hoarding, irregularities

A three-member parliamentary sub-committee has been formed to conduct field inspections and formulate actionable recommendations over the allegations of illegal stockpiling, marketing irregularities and other malpractices regarding fertiliser.

Lawmaker Md Mostafizur Rahman will lead the probe body, while the two other members of the sub-committee are — lawmaker Md Rokon Uddin Babul, and woman lawmaker Mst Sabira Sultana

The sub-committee was formed at the second meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Agriculture held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday.

The chairman Md Shahadat Hossain, MP, presided over the meeting, where Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid attended at invitation from the committee chairman. Other members of the parliamentary committee were also present.

The committee also recommended suspending fertiliser dealership agreements in areas where allegations of irregularities remain unresolved. Where agreements have already been signed, the allegations must be properly investigated and necessary action taken.

The committee called for serious consideration of complaints concerning dealership appointments in Lalmonirhat, Barguna, Satkhira, Faridpur, Naogaon and Jashore districts.

Speaking at the meeting, the committee chairman said that the artificial crisis surrounding fertiliser distribution have been resolved through prompt and effective intervention. He said that there is currently no fertiliser shortage in the country, with stocks sufficient to meet demand.

He added that if fertiliser factories continued operating at full capacity, Bangladesh could not only meet domestic demand but also create opportunities to export surplus fertiliser in the future.