Death Marketing-1

Varind irrigation project waters tobacco plantations, tobacco cos grab subsidized fund

Tobacco companies are illegally using irrigation facilities from Varind Irrigation Project. Recently, such an event has been exposed at Harati Union under Lalmonirhat Sadar where Varind irrigation facilities are used for tobacco farming. Under this union, 50 acres of lands covered by a deep tube well is being used for tobacco cultivation. However, the irrigation project was supposed to water only Irri and Boro farming but with the connection of the tobacco companies the leasing authority is supplying water on the tobacco fields. Tobacco companies are paying the irrigation price for the farmers. It costs about BDT 250 for irrigating one acre land while it costs around BDT 1500 when it comes to private irrigation. Thereby, tobacco companies are grabbing a huge amount of money which is subsidized by the government. Such aggressive activities of tobacco companies should be stopped immediately.