Damage of Potato at Uttara Himghar
Affected farmers give 72-hour ultimatum for compensation
Affected potato farmers yesterday warned of launching an indefinite road blockade programme if authorities of Uttara Himghar Ltd, a cold storage at Boroil village under Dinajpur Sadar upazila fail to give them compensation for rotting of their potatoes within Sunday.
At a rally after an hour-long human chain programme in front of Dinajpur Press Club, they gave the 72-hour ultimatum, saying that they would start an indefinite road blockade programme in Dinajpur from Monday if their demand is not met.
According to the agreement signed between leaders of affected farmers and Uttara Himghar Ltd authorities, the latter earlier agreed to pay compensation to the affected farmers by last May but it is yet to be given, the farmers alleged.
They urged the government to help them get compensation.
"Since last May, the cold storage authorities repeatedly deferred their dates to pay the compensation. This is October but we are yet to get our compensation," said Md Nazrul Islam, general secretary of Uttara Himghar Alu Khatigroshtho Sangram Committee.
Earlier last week, the leaders of affected farmers called on Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner Md Jamal Uddin over their compensation issue.
The farmers alleged that some 40,000 sacks of potatoes kept at Uttara Himghar Ltd at Boroil village under Dinajpur Sadar upazila rot in April this year due to negligence of the authority.
The cold storage authorities stored at least 53,000 sacks (each containing 84kg) of potatoes although its capacity is only 34,000 sacks, they said.
Following farmers' agitation, the then acting Deputy Commissioner of Dinajpur formed an investigation committee headed by an upazila agriculture officer. The committee report, which held negligence of the Uttara Himghar Ltd authorities responsible for damage of the potatoes, suggested paying the affected farmers compensation of Tk 800 to Tk 1100 per sack, depending on varieties.
The cold storage authorities at a meeting with former deputy commissioner Md Shamsul Alam gave assurance of giving compensation to the affected farmers but it is yet to be given, said the affected farmers.
When contacted, Md Mira Ashfaq, acting executive director of Uttara Himghar Ltd, said, "A case was filed against Dinajpur Palli Bidyut Samity claiming compensation of Tk 11crore as they failed to maintain smooth power supply during the peak season. If we get the compensation from Palli Bidyut Samity we will pay the compensation to the affected farmers."
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