PM Asked Officials To Ensure Safety To The People of Enclaves

During a video conference with the District Development Coordination Committees of six districts and concerned divisional commissioners, she said," In the backdrop of passage of the LBA in Indian parliament our main task is to execute the agreement properly.

"In this regard, she said, it should be ensured that the people of the enclaves don't face any trouble and none should be intimidated." She urged the district officials, border guard, law enforcing agencies and political leaders to keep in touch with the people of the enclaves to resolve their problems.

Sheikh Hasina said the people of the enclaves have passed their days in a very painful situation. For the last 68 years they have been in such terrible condition. Now, it's our duty to take necessary steps for their overall development.

She said the government has already passed order to take projects for overall development of the enclaves and welfare of the people. Hospitals, community clinics, schools and roads would be constructed there apart from providing shelter to the homeless and create employment opportunities.

Sheikh Hasin said the LBA has enhanced our obligation for the enclave people, which should be carried out properly," she said adding the appropriate execution of the agreement is important to strengthen ties with neighbouring country."

The Prime Minister attended the videoconference from cabinet room of the Bangladesh Secretariat after weekly cabinet meeting. She talked to the district development coordination committees of Panchagarh and Tangail while Jamalpur, Thakurgaon, Gaibandha, Kishoreganj and offices of the divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Rangpur remained connected.

During the conversation, the Prime Minister went for a detailed discussion with the officials on execution of the development projects, performance of the government, law and order, local problems and gave necessary guidelines to the officials to bring dynamism in the activities of the local administration.

Sheikh Hasina said her government envisaged reducing poverty by at least 10 percent during the remaining time of the current tenure. So, the government officials have to work hard for implementation of the projects taken for development, she said.

Talking to the members of the district development coordination committee of Panchagarh, the Prime Minister said the district is getting priority with the prominence of Banglabandha Land Port.

She said the government is ready to allow Nepal and Bhutan to use Mongla. In view of this, the Banglabandha Land port also remains in high importance for handling of the goods.

Sheikh Hasina said once Panchagarh was a much neglected district. Awami League government after taking office in 1996 has embarked upon massive development programnmes for the district including construction of roads and railways.

Sheikh Hasina asked the officials to take care of the tea gardens of Panchagarh saying her government first conceptualized the idea of tea gardening in the district near Indian district of Darjeeling.

Now a very good quality of tea is being produced in Panchagarh which is being exported to Europe, she said urging all to protect the tea garden and make efforts for further improvement of its quality.

Talking to the members of Tangail district development committee the Prime Minister asked the officials to take necessary measures to protect the culture of the indigenous people of Tangail.

In this regard, Sheikh Hasina asked the concerned authorities to submit necessary proposal for creating the infrastructure facilities in the district to promote cultural activities.

She said Tangail was out of the country's railway network earlier. But the Awami League government linked the district with Dhaka through rail line by changing design of the Bangabandhu Bridge.

The government has a plan to introduce commuter train service to link Tangail and surrounding districts with the capital city Dhaka, she said adding the government would take all measure to save the district from river erosion.

Sheikh Hasina also called for expediting the social forestation drive in the district saying participation of the common people in the afforestation drive helped protect the forests and create scope for them to earn.

Laying importance on completion of the execution of all projects within specific timeframe, Sheikh Hasina said no family in the country would remain without food and shelter and basic needs of every people would be ensured.

Deputy Commissioners of Panchagarh and Tangail briefly presented the development activities of their district. Later, officials of the concerned departments of health, education, food, agriculture and police spoke.

She also asked the officials to give attention to the proper execution of the programmes taken under Social Safety Net (SSN). Deputy Commissioners have to find out homeless people in their areas and go for 'Ashrayan' project to build home for them, she said.

About recent political violence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said BNP chairperson lived in party office for 92 days to unseat the Awami League government. She created problem for common people and burnt innocent people alive which no politician having minimum affection for people can do.

She called upon people to be more vocal against the militant and terrorist activities of BNP-Jamaat saying "People should more clearly made it clear that Bangladesh is not a place for militancy and terrorism."

Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan conducted the conference.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol