Govt to replace Awami League-era fertiliser dealers, PM tells parliament

Published : Wednesday, 22 April, 2026 at 7:26 PM Count : 10

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that all fertiliser dealers appointed during the Awami League era will be dismissed and replaced with new ones.

He made the announcement during an unscheduled discussion in the parliament.

Earlier, Chief Whip Nurul Islam told the House that fertiliser dealers appointed under the “fascist government” were attempting to create an artificial crisis.

Urging immediate action, the chief whip called for the cancellation of such dealerships and the appointment of new ones so that farmers can access fertiliser at fair prices. His remarks drew table-thumping support from members across the House.

In reply, the Leader of the House said the proposal had the backing of the entire parliament.

“If there is consensus across the House, the government will soon take steps in this regard,” he said.

The PM also outlined a series of “time-befitting” plans undertaken by his government to develop the country’s agriculture sector in the face of mounting challenges.

“Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country. Agriculture plays a very important role in ensuring food security, poverty alleviation and economic development. However, due to climate change, population growth, reduction of land, and technological limitations, the agriculture sector is facing various challenges,” he said.

Responding to a question from Tangail-6 MP Robiul Awal, Tarique Rahman said the government had launched the Farmer's Card on April 14 to address these challenges and transform agriculture into a sustainable and profitable sector by boosting production and productivity.

On a supplementary question from Narail-2 MP Ataur Rahman regarding agricultural incentives, the PM said the cards would allow support to be delivered directly to farmers. With these, farmers would no longer need to travel long distances, while the government would have detailed information on their land and requirements. Farmers would be able to collect allocated fertiliser, seeds, pesticides and other inputs from designated local shops.

Answering a question from Munshiganj-3 MP Kamruzzaman, the PM said the government’s election manifesto included publishing a comprehensive white paper into money laundering and corruption during the Awami League regime.

Citing findings of the White Paper Preparation Committee formed by the interim government, he said that between 2009 and 2023, a total of $234 billion -- averaging $16 billion annually, or approximately Tk 1.8 lakh crore -- had been siphoned off.

He added that the foreign ministry was working closely with relevant ministries and agencies to conclude Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties and exchange Mutual Legal Assistance Requests with other countries to repatriate laundered funds.

Tarique Rahman also said an inter-agency task force, chaired by the governor of Bangladesh Bank, had been formed, with legal proceedings underway in 11 prioritised cases identified by the body.

The cases involve ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family, former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Sikder Group, Bashundhara Group, NASSA Group, Orion Group, Nabil Group, HBM Iqbal and his family, and Summit Group, along with individuals and institutions linked to their interests.

In response to Natore-4 MP Abdul Aziz, Tarique Rahman said that within five years, 1,000 people would be trained as freelancers and two million freelancer cards would be distributed. Already, 7,500 cards have been issued.

Replying to Cumilla-4 MP Abul Kalam, the prime minister said that in the current fiscal year, free school uniforms would be given to 200,000 primary school students.

FP/MI