Bangladesh Swadhinata Parishad
A discussion on the occasion of Jail Release Day of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina organised by Bangladesh Swadhinata Parishad (BSP) was held in the auditorium of the Jatiya Press Club in the city on Friday. Awami League Publicity and Publication Affairs Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud was present as the chief guest. While speaking Hasan said BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has made it clear that her party would take part in the next general election under incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “I would like to give thanks to Begum Zia as she has sought vote for her party for the next general election. And it is clear that her party will take part in the next national election under the present government,” he added. Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam addressed the meeting as the key speaker while World University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abdul Mannan Chowdhury, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote leaders Golam Kuddus and Kazi Rosy and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote General Secretary Arun Sarker Rana, among others, addressed the programme. While speaking Qamrul said, “We believe that the BNP will take part in next general election. We don’t want to play in empty field.” Awami League leader and also Adviser of the parishad Hasibur Rahman Manik presided over the function.
COAST Trust
Different organisations including COAST Trust, Bangladesh Krishak Federation and Equitybd demanded more budgetary allocation for climate resilient agriculture and saving marginal farmers to ensure long-term food security at a prèss conference held recently at the Jatiya Press Club. “Budget allocation for agriculture in the proposed national budget for fiscal 2017-18 is not enough,” the leaders of the organisations said demanding at least 20 percent allocation for the sector to ensure national food security. They said the proposed budgetary allocation for agriculture is insufficient and it’s reflecting the government’s strategic failure in case of long- term climate resilient sustainable agriculture to ensure national food security. The farmers’ organisations also placed some specific demands focusing on the national budget including increased allocation for agriculture, enhanced subsidies to save marginal farmers and ensuring fair price of agriculture products by forming of National Price Commission. The function was addressed, among others, by Mustafa Kamal Akand, Assistant Director of COAST Trust, Syed Aminul Hoque, Secretary of EquitybD and Badrul Alam, President of Bangladesh Krishak Federation.
