Operation and lending activities of Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) should be more transparent and accountable for restoring
farmers-friendly banking services in the greater interest of boosting agricultural production in the country’s northwest region. Besides, the bank should render its services for increasing the qualitative and quantitative credit flow towards the potential fields in the region for bolstering its agro-based economy for the sake of sustainable livelihood development of the farmers.
Speakers made these observations while addressing the installation ceremony of newly elected Collective Bargaining Agency (CBA) of the bank at Rajshahi Medical College Auditorium in Rajshahi on Saturday.
Mayor of Rajshahi AHM Khairuzzaman Liton addressed the session as the chief guest laid emphasis on intensifying the bank’s activities to supplement the government’s effort to expand social safety net and ensure poverty reduction and food security.
“We have no way but to boost up agriculture production for more income generation and to reduce dependence on import,” he said, adding that the RAKUB has a vital role to play in this regard.
Besides, he viewed that most of the agricultural sectors and its sub-sectors especially poultry, fishery and livestock should be enriched through bringing the sectors under quality credit support. “You should render yours services for increasing the qualitative and quantitative credit flow towards the potential fields for bolstering the region’s agro-based economy for the sake of sustainable livelihood development of the farmers,” he reminded.
He said pro-farmers banking in the specialised bank must be ensured for cherished development of the region after the best use of its existing natural resources.
The meeting discussed on how to make the bank’s operational and commercial activities more dynamic through strengthening the credit support for both farm and non-farm prospective fields.
To this end, the services must be reached to the doorsteps of the farmers to help them derive benefits from the services side by side with making the services free from all sorts of corruption and irregularities.
Chairman of the bank Prof Dr Shah Newaz Ali, Managing Director Pradip Qumar Dutta, Directors--Khandaker Jahangir Kabir Rana and Dr Rustam Ali Ahmed and Chairman of BMDA Advocate Nurul Islam Thandu also spoke on the occasion as special guests with CBA President Sheikh Towfique Elahi in the chair.

  News: The Independent/ Bangladesh/ 27th Mar 2012