Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Wednesday told Parliament that there is no scope for selling fertilisers at higher prices, as the government is closely monitoring fertiliser management with the highest priority.
“The government is fully aware of the issue and fertiliser management is being monitored with utmost importance. However, no complaint has been received against any BCIC dealer for selling fertilisers at higher prices,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while replying to a scripted question from opposition (Jamaat) lawmaker Md Mujibur Rahman (Rajshahi-1) in the House.
In his question, Mujibur Rahman alleged that chemical fertilisers were being sold at higher prices—ranging between Tk 1,600 and Tk 2,000—in Tanore and Godagari upazilas of Rajshahi instead of government-fixed rates. He also claimed that farmers were at times receiving less fertiliser than required.
He sought to know whether the government was aware of such irregularities and whether there were plans to deploy special task forces or mobile courts to monitor the situation, ensure accountability and cancel the licences of unscrupulous dealers.
In response, the Agriculture Minister said fertiliser sales are being conducted in the presence of Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers at every dealer point.
He added that government-fixed price lists are prominently displayed on red cloth or banners in visible locations at each shop.
He further said fertiliser is being sold only after verifying genuine farmers, with details including name, address and mobile number recorded in cash memos. These records are checked by the relevant authorities during inspections.
Amin Ur Rashid also said fertiliser and seed monitoring committees are active at both district and upazila levels to oversee the overall fertiliser situation, including supply, storage, pricing and dealer activities.
District-level committees are chaired by Deputy Commissioners (DCs), while upazila-level committees are led by Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs).
He added that provisions are also in place to deploy special task forces and mobile courts, with support from local administration, to directly monitor field-level conditions and take action if any irregularities are found.
