Economic Reporter :
The government has announced to close the bidi industry by 2020 and cigarette industry by 2038. However, it is said to be discrimination by tobacco farmers and traders of tobacco products. So, bidi-cigarettes are demanding to set the same time to close. Otherwise, they have called the movement together in the country against the decision.
Tobacco farmers and traders of tobacco products of Rangpur demanded at a grand gathering at the National Press Club Auditorium on Monday.
Leaders of the tobacco farmers and traders association of greater Rangpur said, `It has to be declared that the bidi as cottage industry like India in Bangladesh. Tobacco cultivation cannot be stopped without making alternate employment, including customs duty of 14 rupees per thousand bidi.’
Speakers at the time said, `British American Tobacco has Tk 1,924 crore worth tax scam, as well as selling Tk 35 worth cigarettes to Tk 27. However, the Finance Minister is taking various steps to stop the labor-intensive bidi industry without any importance.’ They also said that the finance minister with his discriminatory decision had been forced to retreat in the face of intense movement of people involved in the bidi industry in protest.
The speakers also said that the closure of this industry without alternative measures will again be returned to the Monga situation. Apart from this, the National Board of Revenue has alleged that cigarette companies have Tk 1,924 crore worth tax scam in the financial year 2009-10 to 2012-2013. In the past 8 years, British-American Tobacco has been trafficked 13 thousand crores of money. Yet, with no logic, 22 years of this extraordinary discrimination is being created?
Presided over by the President of Shimulbari union of Nilphamari district Hamidul Haque, Rangpur metropolitan Awami League organizing secretary and former councilor of Rangpur City Corporation Jahangir Alam presided over the function as the chief speaker. Rashedul Islam, a member of Forest and Environment Sub-committee of Bangladesh Awami League was present as the chief guest. Vice Chancellor of Rangpur Tobacco Farmer and Business Association Shafiqul Islam Tuhin, General Secretary Masum Fakir among others also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, Bidi Sramik Federation President Amin Uddin BSC, General Secretary MK Bangali and Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman expressed solidarity with them.
The government has announced to close the bidi industry by 2020 and cigarette industry by 2038. However, it is said to be discrimination by tobacco farmers and traders of tobacco products. So, bidi-cigarettes are demanding to set the same time to close. Otherwise, they have called the movement together in the country against the decision.
Tobacco farmers and traders of tobacco products of Rangpur demanded at a grand gathering at the National Press Club Auditorium on Monday.
Leaders of the tobacco farmers and traders association of greater Rangpur said, `It has to be declared that the bidi as cottage industry like India in Bangladesh. Tobacco cultivation cannot be stopped without making alternate employment, including customs duty of 14 rupees per thousand bidi.’
Speakers at the time said, `British American Tobacco has Tk 1,924 crore worth tax scam, as well as selling Tk 35 worth cigarettes to Tk 27. However, the Finance Minister is taking various steps to stop the labor-intensive bidi industry without any importance.’ They also said that the finance minister with his discriminatory decision had been forced to retreat in the face of intense movement of people involved in the bidi industry in protest.
The speakers also said that the closure of this industry without alternative measures will again be returned to the Monga situation. Apart from this, the National Board of Revenue has alleged that cigarette companies have Tk 1,924 crore worth tax scam in the financial year 2009-10 to 2012-2013. In the past 8 years, British-American Tobacco has been trafficked 13 thousand crores of money. Yet, with no logic, 22 years of this extraordinary discrimination is being created?
Presided over by the President of Shimulbari union of Nilphamari district Hamidul Haque, Rangpur metropolitan Awami League organizing secretary and former councilor of Rangpur City Corporation Jahangir Alam presided over the function as the chief speaker. Rashedul Islam, a member of Forest and Environment Sub-committee of Bangladesh Awami League was present as the chief guest. Vice Chancellor of Rangpur Tobacco Farmer and Business Association Shafiqul Islam Tuhin, General Secretary Masum Fakir among others also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, Bidi Sramik Federation President Amin Uddin BSC, General Secretary MK Bangali and Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman expressed solidarity with them.
