Jamaat MPs' areas deliberately facing fertiliser crisis: State Minister

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has remarked that an artificial fertiliser crisis has been deliberately created in the areas where Jamaat-e-Islami MPs have been elected, with the aim of undermining the government.

He made these remarks while speaking to journalists after visiting the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed in Pirganj, Rangpur, on Tuesday morning.

In response to journalists' questions on the fertiliser crisis, Shahe Alam said he does not believe there is a crisis over fertiliser. He said an artificial fertiliser crisis is being shown in the areas where Jamaat candidates have been elected, including Kurigram, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Chapainawabganj, Kushtia, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Meherpur and Narail.

He said there is no fertiliser crisis in Dhaka, Chattogram and Mymensingh divisions, or in Bogura, Rajshahi, Pabna, Natore, Cumilla, Sylhet and Barishal. He said a crisis is being reported in only 10 to 11 districts.

Shahe Alam also alleged that the artificial fertiliser crisis has been created by making political activists create an uproar with the aim of undermining the government. He said new dealers are being appointed alongside existing dealers to tackle the situation.

Stating that he himself will monitor so that there is no fertiliser crisis in his constituency in the future, Shahe Alam said he will inspect dealers' warehouses if necessary to see whether fertiliser is in stock and whether it is being distributed among farmers.

The State Minister for Local Government also commented on the opposition's programmes. He said the opposition is announcing various programmes with the aim of obstructing the programmes the BNP government is bringing to the field for the people, creating an unstable environment in the country and implementing the agenda of a foreign country. He also claimed that attempts are being made to mislead people through these programmes.

Regarding the increase in fuel oil prices, Shahe Alam said oil prices were raised in line with the world market. He said oil was being smuggled to India at the previous price. However, Bangladesh's price has not yet become equal to India's price, he said. He said the government has announced that if oil prices fall in the world market, prices will be adjusted and reduced in the country as well.

Shahe Alam also called for giving the government time in adjusting electricity prices. He claimed that the current government took responsibility after the mismanagement in the power sector during the previous government. As a result, time is needed to fix everything.