The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Undertakings has sought the Ministry of Industries’ future plans for restarting closed fertiliser factories and utilising paid-off plants.
The issue was discussed at the second meeting at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday.
The meeting was chaired by Committee President and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni.
The committee reviewed the activities of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) and its subsidiary companies, along with the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). It also discussed chemical fertiliser production, stock and distribution management by BCIC and BADC.
To increase production capacity, the committee recommended taking steps to modernise old fertiliser factories.
At the meeting, the Ministry of Industries informed the committee that the Jamuna Fertilizer Factory could produce fertiliser for only three days over the past two years due to a gas shortage. Production at the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory has also remained suspended for the past 19 months.
Considering the situation, the committee recommended measures to increase domestic fertiliser production, reduce dependence on imports, address shortages and cut costs.
The committee also recommended taking necessary steps, in line with directives from the Prime Minister, to make the country self-sufficient in seed production. It suggested reviewing measures to cancel the licences of dealers involved in creating artificial market shortages.
To ensure a smooth fertiliser supply chain, the committee recommended introducing a digital real-time monitoring system. It also asked BADC to present detailed information on its future plans to increase food production in line with population growth at the next meeting.
Committee members Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahamed Apu, Whip Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, Mosammat Tahsina Rushdir, Khondokar Abu Ashfak, Mohammad Kawsar Ahmed, Md Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan and Mohammad Najibure Rahman attended the meeting.
The Secretary and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, officials from relevant ministries and divisions, BCIC, BADC and their affiliated organisations, along with officials from the Jatiya Sangshad Secretariat, were also present.
