BADC dealings anger Rajshahi seed dealers
Sixty-one government appointed paddy seed dealers in Rajshahi yesterday warned of suspending purchase of the seeds in protest against 'forcing them to buy coconut saplings' to withdraw their allocation.
In a memorandum sent to the chairman of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), the dealers alleged that the local BADC authority is forcing them to purchase coconut saplings for additional amount of Tk 1000 from each dealer.
The local BADC often forces them to buy different kinds of non-profitable seeds during withdrawal of their government allocated seeds, it says.
“If this practice is not stopped, we will stop withdrawing seeds,” says the statement signed, among others, by Rajshahi Seed Dealers' Association president Aminur Rahman and general secretary Fazlur Rahman.
Fazlur Rahman told this correspondent that the dealers who are paying the extra money are given preference during distribution of seeds while those who do not are kept in wait for days.
When contacted, Arif Hossain Khan, deputy director of BADC's zonal marketing division, acknowledged that his office is collecting extra Tk 980 from the dealers for 28 quality coconut saplings.
Refuting the allegations of farmers, he said, “We are not forcing them. Many dealers are willingly buying coconut saplings as they find it very attractive.”
Out of government allocation of 1170 tonnes of paddy seeds, 824 tonnes have already been sold to dealers, he said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments