AL blames govt for decrease in foodgrain output
"Inefficiency of the BNP-Jamaat government has led to a decrease in the production of foodgrains by 3.2 percent in 2001-2002 fiscal, forcing the authorities to import about 22 lakh metric tons of foodgrains till March this year," said AL presidium member Motia Chowdhury at a press briefing.
The country was self-reliant in food production but it became aid dependent in the two years of the present government, said Motia, also former minister for agriculture.
The AL organised the press briefing to inform the people about the actual scenario of agriculture sector following Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's speech to the nation on October 10.
"The government did not take any new project in the agriculture sector in the last two years," she said and blamed the government for its 'mismanagement' in distribution of wheat seeds and failure to supply Boro seeds in the last Boro season.
Criticising the PM's speech, Motia said there was no reflection of reality in her speech and the prime minister did not highlight the agriculture sector because her government could not achieve success in this sector.
She also criticised the government for squeezing the facilities for farmers and said they are not getting fair price of their produces.
Quoting newspaper reports, Motia said a large number of people in northern districts are starving due to severe scarcity of food and some of them have died.
Instead of extending loan facilities, the government has been harassing the poor farmers by filing certificate cases against them, she said.
She also demanded distribution of loans to farmers and adequate supply of agricultural inputs.
AL leaders Obaidul Kader, Mukul Bose, Dr Abdur Razzak, Dr Abdul Jalil, Motahar Hossain Mollah, Meher Afroz Chumki and MA Karim were also present.
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