A special discussion and prayer mahfil was held by Bidi industry owners and workers in Pabna on Saturday as no increase in tariff on Bidi industry has been proposed in the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022.
Pabna District Bidi Industry Owners' Association and District Bidi Mazdoor Union jointly organised the discussion meeting and prayer mahfil at Pabna district Bidi Mazdoor Union office. Before praying for the recovery and longevity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, various developmental activities of the Prime Minister were discussed in detail there.
Pabna upazila chairman also the Pabna sadar upazila Awami League resident Md. Mosharraf Hossain addressed in the meeting as the chief guest.
Pabna district Bidi Industries Owners’ samiti,’ president Md. Shahadat Hossain presided over the programme and conducted Harik Hossain, president of district Bidi Mozdur Union.
Vice-manager of Akij Bidi Factory Ltd of Dulai unit also the vice-president of Pabna district Bidi Industries Samiti, Kazi Humayun Kabir, Pabna district Bidi Mozdur Union secretary Shamim Islam, finance secretary of Bidi industry Mamunur Rashid Mamun, general secretary of Bidi industry Rashedul Islam Russel, were addressed the programme.
The leaders of the district Bidi Industry Owners' Association and Bidi Mazdoor Union expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for not proposing to increase the duty on Bidi industry in the proposed budget.
The speakers demanded an additional Tk 4 reduction in the price of Bidis imposed in the last financial year, a reduction of 10 per cent income tax on advances imposed and protection from aggression by multinational companies. Speakers called for an end to step motherly behavior on Bidis.
At the end of the discussion, prayers were offered for the recovery and longevity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Media workers and officials of the organisation were present in the prayer programme.
All the speakers urged to the Prime Minister to declare Bidi industry as a domestic cottage industry, declare workers' wages and form a monitoring committee so that the government can collect taxes with discipline.