Dhaka – BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday demanded the government waive agricultural loan of the flood-affected farmers and take steps for their rehabilitation.“We visited the northern region to distribute relief where we saw little amount of relief materials sent from the government. Only an amount of Tk 27 lakh was given for 5 lakh flood victims,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader further said, “Bank loan is now a big concern for the farmers whose seeds and paddy plants were washed away. So, it’s not possible to repay the agricultural loan by them. So, their loan must be waived fully.”
He said it is justified to waive the loan of the poor and flood-hit farmers when the government has written off the unpaid loan of Tk 30,000 crore of the businessmen.
Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, said their party during its rule waived Tk 4,000 crore of farmers.
He said the government should also take necessary steps for the rehabilitation of the flood-hit farmers alongside waiving their loan.
Nagorik Odhikar Andolon Forum arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), demanding the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail and her proper treatment.
The BNP leader alleged that the government is trying to downplay the dengue outbreak and growing crimes branding them as rumours to hide its failure.
“Is it a rumour that dengue has turned epidemic? Is it a rumour that women are being raped regularly and children are being tortured? Around Tk 27,000 crore was plundered from the share market in a week while the banks are facing liquidity crisis due to widespread plundering. Are these rumours? They (govt) are trashing everything as rumours as they’ve failed to deliver on all fronts,” he added.
Khosru said the release of Khaleda Zia from jail has become a mass demand, but the government will not free her without facing a strong movement. “It‘s almost not possible to free Khaleda Zia from jail through the legal process. “We must force the government to free her by waging a strong movement.”UNB
