Discussion on Bogura’s Development Prospects, Probl. and Challenges – Ensuring Security and Rights Is the Government’s Responsibility : State Minister Mir Shahe Alam MP

It will take some time for development to become visible, as the current government has been in office for only seven months, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam MP has said. He alleged that Awami League had deceived people in northern region in name of development. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman views the entire country equally, he said, adding that development should not be confined to any particular area.   State minister cited allocations of Tk 18 billion for Rangpur City Corporation and Tk 17 billion for development in Gopalganj district as examples of the...

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It will take some time for development to become visible, as the current government has been in office for only seven months, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam MP has said. He alleged that Awami League had deceived people in northern region in name of development. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman views the entire country equally, he said, adding that development should not be confined to any particular area.

State minister cited allocations of Tk 18 billion for Rangpur City Corporation and Tk 17 billion for development in Gopalganj district as examples of the government’s approach to balanced development. Mir Shahe Alam MP said the prime minister was meeting people and visiting communities despite security risks. He described the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja as a positive achievement of the BNP government.

He also said that, for first time in country’s 55-year history, a prime minister had attended three separate programmes to express solidarity with members of Hindu community. Hindus do not belong to anyone’s personal camp, he said, adding that their voting behaviour in last election had demonstrated this. Government wants to reflect the dignity of Hindu community, he said, stressing that ensuring the security and rights of all citizens, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, is government’s responsibility. He made the remarks as chief guest at a discussion titled “Development Prospects, Problems and Challenges of Bogura” at Momoin Convention Centre on Thursday afternoon.

Meeting was chaired by Ekramul Haque Bhuiyan (Lotan Ekram), editor of daily Bangladesh Pratidin. Atikur Rahman Rumon, additional press secretary to the prime minister, was keynote speaker.

Speaking about Bogura’s development plans, the state minister said the city, a major hub of northern Bangladesh and home to ancient civilisation of Pundranagara dating back around 2,500 years, had long been deprived of development. He said plans were underway to construct 151-bed hospitals in each of district’s 13 upazilas. BNP government is working to transform Bogura into one of country’s key regions for industry, communications, education, healthcare and urban development, he added.

Initiatives are being taken to upgrade various highways from four lanes to six lanes to improve road connectivity. Once several projects are implemented, communications and economic activity across the northern region will gain fresh momentum, he said.

The minister further said an initiative had been taken to construct a four-lane road along the Karatoa River. Work on the BSCIC industrial park is expected to begin soon. Plans are also in place to prevent erosion along the Jamuna River, construct dam stations for water conservation and expand healthcare services, he said. Initiatives are being taken to develop Bogura University into a centre for multidisciplinary higher education and research. To address the energy crisis, Mir Mir Shahe Alam MP urged households to install solar panels on their rooftops.

Among those present were Bogura-6 MP Rezaul Karim Badsha, Bogura-3 MP Abdul Muhit Talukder, BNP Media Cell convener Dr Mawdud Islam Alamgir Pavel, Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) Director General Faruk Wasif, BNP chairman’s adviser Advocate Mahbubur Rahman, Bogura City Corporation Administrator M.R. Islam Shadhin, RDA Bogura Director General Dr Md Abdul Majid, TMSS Executive Director Dr Hosne Ara Begum, Bogura University Vice-Chancellor Kudrat-e-Jahan, Deputy Commissioner (Dc) Md Toufiqur Rahman, Police Superintendent Mirza Sayem Mahmud, Bogura Press Club President Rezaul Hasan Ranu and Naz Garden proprietor Shok rana, among others.