Cut urea price

In an apparent bid to make farmers happy ahead of the next parliamentary elections, the ruling Awami League's highest decision-making body yesterday recommended that the government reduce the price of urea fertiliser.
Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, who was present at yesterday's Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting, said her ministry would immediately take the necessary steps in this regard.
In June 2011, the government increased the price of the fertiliser from Tk 12 a kg to Tk 20 following a price hike in the international market.
The Daily Star could not immediately know to what extent the price would be reduced.
The ALCWC meeting, held at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official residence Gono Bhaban, elaborately discussed the party's next course of action, which includes preparations for the elections, publicity campaign through billboards and organisational issues.
Chaired by AL president Sheikh Hasina, the meeting was still in progress when this report was filed at 9:30pm.
Senior AL leaders, including party General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, attended the meeting.