BNP urges govt to write off flood-hit farmers' loan

BNP senior leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury demanded on Tuesday that the government exempt the flood-affected farmers from repaying agricultural loan and take steps for their rehabilitation, reports UNB.
"We visited the northern region to distribute relief where we saw little amount of relief materials sent from the government. Only an amount of Tk 2.7 million was given for 0.5 million flood victims," he said.
The BNP leader made the comments while speaking at a discussion organised by Nagorik Odhikar Andolon Forum at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city, demanding the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail and her proper treatment.
Amir Khasru further said, "Bank loan is now a big concern for the farmers whose seeds and paddy plants were washed away. So, it's not possible to repay the agricultural loan by them. So, their loan must be waived fully."
He said it is justified to waive the loan of the poor and flood-hit farmers when the government has written off the unpaid loan of Tk 300 billion of the businessmen.
Khasru, a BNP standing committee member, said his party during its rule waived Tk 40 billion of farmers.
He said the government should also take necessary steps for the rehabilitation of the flood-hit farmers alongside waiving their loan.
The BNP leader alleged the government is trying to downplay the dengue outbreak and growing crimes branding them as rumours to hide its failure.
"Is it a rumour that dengue has turned epidemic? Is it a rumour that women are being raped regularly and children are being tortured? Around Tk 270 billion was plundered from the share market in a week while the banks are facing liquidity crisis due to widespread plundering. Are these rumours? They (govt) are trashing everything as rumours as they've failed to deliver on all fronts," he added.
Khasru said the release of Khaleda Zia from jail has become a mass demand, but the government will not free her without facing a strong movement. "It's almost not possible to free Khaleda Zia from jail through the legal process. "We must force the government to free her by waging a strong movement."