In a written statement at a press conference, Md. Humayun Kabir, President of the BADC Agriculturists Association, said the Prime Minister has made a timely intervention to resolve the long-standing complexities of service rules and pay structure and to determine specific pay grades. His decision has paved the way for implementation of the long-awaited scale vetting for BADC officers and employees.
The statement said that since its establishment in 1961, BADC has been playing an important role in producing, collecting and preserving quality seeds at the doorstep of agriculture and farmers, supplying fertilizer, and expanding modern irrigation technology. As an autonomous institution, BADC has been operating according to its own law and approved regulations.
BADC officers and employees claim that in a recent circular of the Ministry of Finance, the pay grades of 4,699 posts were downgraded by one step contrary to the existing law and notification, while some conditions were added to new appointments and promotions, causing concern among officers and employees. In protest, officers and employees of various levels launched a movement and carried out peaceful programmes including work stoppages and human chains.
Later, following the Prime Minister's directive, the matter was reviewed, the inconsistencies were corrected, and an order was issued to vet the new scale keeping the existing grades unchanged, it was informed.
Approval of 5,218 posts, demand over 519 posts
The statement further said that under the directive of the Ministry of Agriculture, a proposal for 10,000 manpower was prepared for BADC based on the recommendations of a five-member committee led by a former secretary. Later, the Ministry of Public Administration approved 9,355 manpower for BADC.
However, during the scale vetting, the number of approved posts was drastically reduced and approval was given for only 5,218 people, BADC officers and employees alleged. Among these, scale vetting of 519 posts was not completed.
At the press conference, the Agriculture Secretary and Finance Secretary were requested to consider the matter with importance and complete the scale vetting of the 519 posts.
Demand to introduce full pension system
The issue of the pension system not being in operation at BADC was also highlighted at the press conference. Speakers said that alongside supplying important agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, seed and irrigation to ensure the country's food security, BADC has long been playing an important role in developing the irrigation system through digging and re-excavating canals and ensuring the availability of irrigation for agricultural land.
Mentioning BADC's important role in the government's tree plantation programme, the speakers said that following the Prime Minister's directive, BADC officers and employees have been working day and night to achieve self-sufficiency in jute seeds and guava seeds.
In recognition of the contribution of BADC officers and employees to agricultural development, increasing agricultural production and improving the fate of farmers, a demand was placed to the Prime Minister to introduce a full pension system as well as rationally increase manpower and security-related posts.
At the press conference, gratitude was expressed to the leaders of BADC Agriculturists Association, BADC Engineering Society, BADC Officers Association, CBA and various professional and employee organisations for their cooperation and solidarity in the movement.
