Staff Correspondent: The long-awaited vetting of the salary scales for officials and employees of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) has been completed, prompting the corporation’s employees to express their gratitude to the Prime Minister for facilitating the process.

At a press conference, BADC Krishibid Samity President Md Humayun Kabir said the Prime Minister’s timely intervention had helped clear the way for resolving long-standing complications over the corporation’s service rules and pay structure and determining specific salary grades for its officials and employees.

According to a written statement presented at the press conference, BADC has played a significant role in the country’s agricultural development since its establishment in 1961. The corporation has been involved in producing, collecting and preserving quality seeds, supplying fertiliser and expanding modern irrigation technologies to farmers.

As an autonomous organisation, BADC operates under its own laws and approved regulations, the statement said.

BADC officials and employees said concerns arose after a recent Finance Ministry circular allegedly downgraded the salary grades of 4,699 posts by one grade, which they claimed was inconsistent with existing laws and government notifications. They also alleged that the circular introduced additional conditions for some new appointments and promotions.

In response, officials and employees from different levels of the organisation launched peaceful programmes, including work abstention and human chains, to press their demands.

The employees said a proposal for a workforce of 10,000 was initially prepared on the basis of recommendations made by a five-member committee headed by a former secretary, following instructions from the Agriculture Ministry.

The Public Administration Ministry subsequently approved a total workforce of 9,355 for BADC, according to the statement.

However, during the salary-scale vetting process, the number of approved posts was substantially reduced, and salary scales were approved for 5,218 posts, the employees alleged. They further said the salary scales of another 519 posts had not yet been vetted.

At the press conference, the leaders urged the Agriculture Secretary and Finance Secretary to take the matter seriously and complete the vetting of the remaining 519 posts.

The BADC officials and employees also renewed their demand for the introduction of a full pension system for the corporation.

They said BADC currently does not have a full pension arrangement despite its longstanding contribution to the country’s food security and agricultural economy.

The corporation supplies essential agricultural inputs such as fertiliser and seeds and works to improve irrigation facilities through the excavation and re-excavation of canals, thereby helping ensure access to irrigation water for agricultural land, they said.

The speakers also highlighted BADC’s role in the government’s tree-planting programmes.

They said BADC officials and employees have been working around the clock to achieve self-sufficiency in jute and guava seed production in line with the Prime Minister’s directives.

Recognising the contribution of BADC officials and employees to agricultural development, increased farm production and improving farmers’ livelihoods, the employees urged the government to introduce a full pension system for them.

They also called for a rational increase in manpower, particularly in posts related to security and essential operational activities.

The speakers said an adequate workforce was essential for BADC to continue delivering agricultural inputs and services effectively and to meet the country’s growing agricultural needs.

At the press conference, the BADC Krishibid Samity, BADC Engineers` Association, BADC Officers` Association, CBA and leaders of various professional and employee organisations were thanked for their cooperation and solidarity during the movement.

The employees expressed hope that the remaining issues, particularly the vetting of the 519 posts and introduction of a full pension system, would receive favourable consideration from the government.