UNB, Dhaka
Agriculture Minister Motia Chowdhury on Sunday said the government would decide on Monday about reduction of diesel price and increase in subsidy on fertilizers as part of measures envisaged for boosting food production.
“The government has already decided in principle. Everyone will be informed after meetings at ministry and expert levels. We’ll reach a decision in the cabinet meeting tomorrow,” she told reporters at the Secretariat.
In the first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the new Awami League government decided in principle to cut the price of diesel and provide subsidy on fertilizers.
The Agriculture Minister said that calculation is involved in the process and if there were not three-day holidays, things would have been worked out. Both Finance and Agriculture Ministries are working on the matter.
About reports regarding pledge to provide free fertilizers and per-kg rice at Tk 10, she said, “BNP is saying this. It’s the statement of Begum Zia. We haven’t said (so) anywhere.”
Motia noted that there is no mention of such things in the Awami League’s election manifesto and pre-poll nationwide speech on Radio and Television on December 27.
Asked why BNP is doing so, she told reporters to ask BNP this question as “I am not holding their brief”.
Motia, an AL presidium member, said what they had pledged was to increase subsidy on fertilizers, make its availability easier and reduce the high prices of rice.
Asked what directives the Prime Minister gave to her cabinet colleagues in today’s secretariat meeting, she said, “She (Hasina) said: You can talk to me anytime. She also said she will talk to the ministers before formal meetings.”
Motia also said the Prime Minister prefers holding cabinet meetings at the Secretariat as ministers would be available there all the time
About challenges facing her ministry in the future, she said, “Let me manage the upcoming Boro season. There are also more challenges. The (cultivable) land is decreasing and production will have to be increased in the reduced land.”
About job of ministers, Motia said, “We are not enjoying minister-ship. We are under pressure of responsibilities.”
She said the government would work as per their election manifesto, and if it failed, the people would take that in cognizance. She asked not to impose anything outside manifesto.
Courtesy: thebangladeshtoday.com
