Initiatives have been taken to enlist genuine freedom fighters who were excluded from the official registry for political reasons during the “18 years of fascism,” Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Aazam Khan told Parliament on Sunday.
Concurrently, the government is working to remove those who were wrongfully included in the list through irregularities.
Khan also announced that 843 martyrs from the July mass uprising have been included in the official government gazette so far, while the verification process for two more individuals remains ongoing. The minister shared these details on Sunday afternoon (30 August) during a question-and-answer session in the Parliament.
Responding to a supplementary query from Md Nazmul Huda, lawmaker for Meherpur-2, Khan explained that during the 18 years of fascism, numerous genuine freedom fighters were excluded from the list due to their involvement in opposition politics.
Moreover, various other factors had prevented several genuine freedom fighters from being enlisted. Measures are now being actively taken to include them.
Khan added that since the current government took charge, applications have been accepted from genuine freedom fighters seeking enlistment. These applications are being thoroughly verified, and individuals are being added to the list once their claims are proven correct.
Regarding those who were listed through irregular means despite not being actual freedom fighters, Khan said a verification process is currently underway. Those identified as non-freedom fighters are being removed from the registry, and many have already been excluded.
He emphasised that formulating an authentic and flawless list of freedom fighters remains a primary goal of the government. To achieve this, the government is committed to ensuring fair recognition for genuine freedom fighters while continuing its efforts to exclude those listed through irregularities.
In response to a separate question from Rokeya Begum, MP from a reserved women’s seat, Khan confirmed that 843 martyrs of the July mass uprising have been gazetted so far. The verification of two more individuals is ongoing, and steps will be taken to include them in the gazette once this process is finalised. He underscored the importance of thorough verification before finalising the official registry.
No fertiliser shortage in the country
Replying to a query from Chuadanga-2 MP Md Ruhul Amin, Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid assured the House that there is no shortage of fertiliser in the country relative to demand.
Rashid stated that the fertiliser distribution network is being managed strictly in accordance with policy guidelines to guarantee a proper supply to farmers.
Close monitoring of fertiliser distribution activities is also being conducted at the field level to ensure farmers receive the correct quantities at the right time and at government-fixed prices.
He reiterated that supply matches the national demand, and rigorous supervision remains active at all relevant levels to ensure fertilisers reach farmers based on their requirements.
