Bangladesh News

The Council of Advisers at its first meeting here yesterday gave a nod to the caretaker government’s 14-point programme for the rapid socioeconomic development of the country’s northern region, especially Rangpur.

The programmes include close and round-the-clock supervision for ensuring the Boro production in the coming season, formation of a committee headed by an adviser to resolve Monga problem, setting up of a full-fledged university in Rangpur, activating the airports of the region and taking measures to export more manpower from there.

The meeting was held at Rangpur Circuit House with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair. The meeting started at about 12:00 noon and lasted for three hours.

This was the first-ever meeting of the Council of Advisers held outside the capital. It was attended by all advisers, special assistants to the chief adviser and secretaries concerned.

The programmes also include construction and maintenance of roads, railways, bridges and embankments, making Birol, Banglaband and Sonar Hat land ports functional, taking steps to increase employment and expand businesses, ensuring healthcare services and expanding inland tourism.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, the chief adviser said the specific decisions were taken after detailed discussions and directives have been given accordingly.

Responding to a question, he said meetings of the Council of Advisers will be held in other districts of the country gradually.

About holding the meeting in Rangpur, the chief adviser said there are some regional issues that need to be dealt with regionally, otherwise these problems will remain unaddressed.

Asked if the next government would continue the works taken by the present government, he hoped that the future government would continue the good works initiated by this government.

Giving details of the meeting, the chief adviser informed that a committee, headed by Education and Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman, has been formed for taking quick and coordinated steps for multidimensional solutions to Monga problem. “Involving all concerned, this committee will formulate an effective strategy,” he added.

He said his secretary has been entrusted with the responsibility to create skilled manpower by coordinating training programmes initiated by different ministries.

Asked when a full-fledged university would be set up in Rangpur, the chief adviser said it’s a time-consuming matter but the directive has been given to undertake a project in this regard.

He said proposals have been received from Bangladeshi expatriates to operate services in Syedpur, Ishwardi and Takurgaon airports. “Subject to implementation of the proposal, these airports will be activated,” he said.

Under the development programme, the chief advisser said Begum Rokeya Memorial Centre has been brought under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.