The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Prof Dr Muzaffar Ahmed, Chairman, TIB yesterday said middlemen's control in the market should be reduced for supply of agricultural products to the consumers at a rational price.

He was speaking as chief guest at a roundtable titled "Pledges and Duties of the New Government to Control Essential Goods" organised by Bangabangdhu Diploma Agriculturists' Parishad at the National Press Club in the city.

Md Zahir Uddin Babu, founding president of the organisation chaired the discussion.

Prof Dr MA Nasir presented the keynote paper while Prof Dr Atiur Rahman, Prof Dr SM Imamul Haque, Khandokar Muhitul Islam, Editor of the Daily Janata, Agriculturist Moin Uddin Ahmed, Md Motaher Hossain, among others, took part in the discussion.

Dr Atiur urged the government to immediately increase subsidy to fertilizer and diesel prices for controlling the market.

He also said "Very political well-wishes is enough to control the price of essential goods".

Mentioning 70 percent of main necessity goods being import, Khandokar Muhitul urged the new government to reduce the dependency of import through increasing local agricultural products for the country's development.

Speakers emphasised on giving training to the farmers and increasing agricultural products for ensuring food security of the country.

"Priority should be given toresearch and prescription of our local agricultural specialists, not the World Bank (WB) for improving the sector", they said.

Speakers also stressed on implementing the Consumers' Rights Ordinance as soon as possible with the assistance of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).