Save marginal farmers, experts tell govt

Politicians, academics and economists urged the government on Saturday to cut rural poverty down so that the landless people can have better life and marginal farmers do not lose their lands.
They said marginal farmers eventually lose their lands as prices of crops are low and that is why the government needs effective programmes to alleviate poverty in the rural areas.
Their remarks came at the opening session of a convention of Bangladesh Bhumihin Samiti (association of landless people) in the city.
The number of the landless people is also increasing in the rural areas as the volume of farmlands has been diminishing day by day, they said.
Bangladesh Bhumihin Samiti held their day long 8th national convention at Mahanagar Natyamancha in the capital where language veteran Ahmad Rafique said the pledges of war of independence still are unfulfilled.
Here the rich are becoming richer and the poor poorer, he said, urging the government to take steps to reduce the gap between the wealthy and the indigent.
Economist Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said the government should take more development programmes in the villages to curb poverty.
Jahangirnagar University teacher Anu Muhammad said as the poor are voiceless, they are mostly deprived.
He demanded re-fixing of the national minimum wages of the workers.
Dhaka University teacher Mesbah Kamal said the development of the country would be affected if the number of landless people keeps on increasing.
He demanded distribution of khas (public) lands among the landless people in the villages.
The general secretary of Bhumihin Samiti, Subal Sarker, read out a report of the organisation.
He demanded employment for the landless people, ensuring their just wages, distribution of khas lands among them and arresting grafts in village development programmes.
Revolutionary Workers Party general secretary Saiful Huq demanded enhancing wages of the labourers immediately.
Chaired by Ahmad Rafique, the opening session was addressed, among others by Ganatantri Party former general secretary Nurur Rahman Selim and apparel labour leader Foiez Hossain.
The opening session was followed by a council session, where councilors and delegates attended to elect a new central committee of the organisation.
Several hundred leaders and activists from across the country took part.

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