Rangpur tobacco co-op warns Muhith over bidi closure
Staff Reporter
The Greater Rangpur Tobacco Farmers and Businessman Co-operative said if the finance minister did not shun his biased policy towards the bidi industry, he wont be allowed to enter Rangpur.
The general secretary of the association, Mohammad Masum Fakir, said this on Saturday, during a press conference at the National Press Club.
Fakir said that smoking is injurious to health, irrespective of whether someone smokes a bidi or cigarette. In fact, we can say cigarette is more harmful than bidi because it contains more tobacco. So, if you want to stop smoking, close down both the industries, he said.
But, after meeting with British American Tobacco, the finance minister said he will close down only the bidi manufacturing industry. How can this happen? We demand an investigation into why he has been working so hard to close down a homespun cottage industry, Fakir added.
He said that people of four districts in Greater Rangpur depend on the bidi industry for their livelihood. Does he know how many people will become unemployed if the bidi industry is closed, without creating alternative employment opportunities? Tobacco is the main cash crop of the region, so, farm labour, too, is dependant on the tobacco industry. Those who work in the tobacco processing sector also earn their livelihood from this industry. So, this regions principal means of survival is the tobacco industry. This industry cannot be closed so easily. if that happens, farmers and workers will bring their agitation to the highways, if needed. The president of Rangpur Tobacco Farmers and Businessman Co-operative, Hamidul Haque, criticised the finance ministers remarks on the bidi industry. He said, All the journalists present here know the language he uses. He says we will close down the bidi industry now, and, then, he will say we will do it later. Two million people in this region are living in uncertainty due to his remarks. If the bidi industry gets destroyed, there will be Monga in this region. Has the finance minister taking this into consideration?
Hamidul said, Were trying to meet the finance minister. He hasnt given us an appointment yet, but we are trying. We only demand that no biased decision is taken against bidi workers and farmers.
The co-operatives vice president Shafikul Islam Tuhin and members Bikash Ray, Rubel Mia, Masud Hasan, Amzad Hossain, Milon Ray, and Nitay Chandra, were present at the press meet.
