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A parliamentary standing committee has formed a three-member probe body to investigate irregularities in fertiliser distribution, storage and marketing, including illegal stockpiling.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Agriculture at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday (October 26), chaired by committee chairman Md Shahadat Hossain.
The committee formed the probe body following a proposal by its member Md Mostafizur Rahman. Mostafizur was named convener, while Md Rokon Uddin Babu and Mst Sabira Sultana were appointed members.
The team will conduct field inspections, identify problems and make specific recommendations to address irregularities in fertiliser distribution, storage and management.
At the meeting, the chairman said an artificial fertiliser shortage caused by problems in the distribution system had been resolved through timely and effective intervention. He said the country currently had adequate fertiliser stocks to meet demand.
He added that if fertiliser factories continued operating at full capacity, Bangladesh could meet domestic demand and potentially export surplus fertiliser in the future.
The committee also recommended suspending the signing of dealership agreements in areas where allegations of irregularities in dealer appointments remain unresolved.
Where agreements have already been signed, the allegations must be properly investigated and necessary action taken, it said.
The committee particularly called for serious consideration of complaints over dealer appointments in Lalmonirhat, Barguna, Satkhira, Faridpur, Naogaon and Jashore.
Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid and committee members Md Shahidul Islam, Md Mostafizur Rahman, Md Rokon Uddin Babu, Md Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Mst Sabira Sultana and Md Golam Rasul attended the meeting.
The agriculture secretary, directors general of departments under the ministry, heads of relevant agencies and senior officials from the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were also present.