The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Anwarul Iqbal yesterday said the Cooperatives Act would be amended within the next two months to free the sector from politics.

Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion in observance of the day, he said negative notion had been created among the people about the cooperatives, one of the socio-economic development sector of the country, only for the political purpose.

Organized to mark the 36th National Cooperatives Day at the Cooperative Bhaban in the city, the function was addressed ,among others, by Rural Development and Cooperatives Secretary Muhammad Nazrul Islam as the special guest.

Registrar of the Cooperative Department M Mosharaff Hossain Bhuiyan chaired the function.

The theme of the day this year is "cooperatives in marketing and controlling prices of essentials."

The adviser said the present government turned 'Milk Vita', a cooperative organization, into a profitable concern after three months of its taking office.

"The corruption probe into the organization has already been completed and it was submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)", Anwarul said.

If the ACC does not take action within the stipulated time, he said, cases will be filed against the corrupt persons.

The adviser said the national dairy development board would be formed for controlling and keeping the price of milk stable.

Anwarul warned the concerned persons not to do banking business in the name of cooperatives. Banking business must be carried out with the permission of the Bangladesh Bank, he added.

He urged the cooperators to increase the production of goods and supply the products to markets through the cooperative system to reduce the malpractice of middlemen.

Earlier, the adviser inaugurated a seven-day cooperative fair.

Besides, a colourful rally was brought to mark the day. The rally, starting from Manikmia Avenue, was terminated at the Cooperative Bhaban.