Sending out a clear message to hoarders and rumour mongers, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Tuesday said strict legal action would be initiated against anyone trying to create an artificial fertilizer crisis in Bangladesh.
“Fertilizer supplies in Bangladesh have not declined even by a single ton over that of the previous year. The number of agricultural lands has decreased instead. So, there is no chance of a fertilizer crisis,” Sadhan told reporters after visiting the under-construction rice silo in Naogaon.
“A panic has been created and as a result, those who need one sack of fertilizer are trying to collect two,” said the minister.
He said: “Even those who don’t need fertilizers are lining up to dealers to grab a sack.”
“We will not spare anyone trying to create an artificial fertilizer crisis in Bangladesh by hoarding or spreading rumours. We will not let any corruption percolate into the sector,” the Minister added.
Measures like jail custody, imposition of hefty fines, and cancellation of dealership will be taken if necessary, he added.