Staff Reporter Dhaka : Jashore District Bidi Owners Somiti and Bidi Workers Union formed a human chain and encirclement programme in front of the jashore Customs, Excise, and VAT Commissionerate office to express their five-point demand, including the prohibition of counterfeit bidi on Sunday (1 January).

The demands include reducing the duty on bidi and increasing the wages of workers, stopping all revenue evasion bidis including unverified (online) licences, advance income tax 3 percent like cigarettes on bidis, increasing the price of multinational companies cigarettes and stopping the aggression of British American Tobacco.

Speakers at the human chain stated that the significance of the bidi industry to the nation’s economy is enormous. However, some unscrupulous bidi businessmen have dodged billions of dollars by selling counterfeit bidi, which is ruining the bidi business.

They also urged the customs authorities to take necessary steps to halt unlawful bidi manufacturers and counterfeit bidi. They should be arrested and punished.

Bangladesh Bidi Workers Federation President MK Bangali, Vice President Nazim Uddin, General Secretary Abdur Rahman, Joint Secretary Harik Hossain, Abdul Gofur, and Anower Hosen were present in the programme among others.