Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged doctors in the country to devote more time to research in medical science by reducing the time they spend on private practice.

"We are lagging behind in one sector and that is the research in medical science. Doctors are engaged in practising and earning money, and they don't bother to go for research works," she said.

The prime minister was distributing cheques of the "Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship", "National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship" and special research donations among teachers, scientists, researchers and students of different universities.

The science and technology ministry arranged the programme at the Prime Minister's Office.

Hasina asked doctors among the audience about the facts of private practice.

"It is correct. There are doctors over there, and I am asking them directly," she said.

"Importance has to be given on research work, because the people of the country have to be healthy, strong and meritorious. They need to get chance to flourish their merits. For that, research is essential," she added.

She said the government will give special stimulus package to those involved in heath-related research.

"I will again request the doctors who are in public service to reduce their private practice and give more time to research work," she said.

She said the government will do everything necessary to encourage research.

The PM mentioned the outcome of research in the agricultural sector where the country became self-sufficient in food production.

"Research opens the door for development. We have to put highest importance on science and health related researches," she said.

The prime minister said the government is very much sincere to remove all sorts of obstacles in any kind of research and the money invested for it is coming from the pocket of the masses of the country.

"This public money must be used for the welfare of the people. You have to keep this in mind always," she said.

Talking about the second nuclear power plant, the prime minister said the government has built Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and it tried to build another one in the southern region of the country.

"I have asked the science and technology minister to start the second one just after finishing the first one and we have to take preparation for that from now on," she said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday tasked top bureaucrats with selecting projects that benefit the people and provide immediate returns, and to ensure the quick utilisation of foreign loans.

Chairing the first Ecnec meeting with the newly elected government, the PM also gave directives to ensure necessary funds to speed up the projects which are near completion. 

The meeting was held at the National Economic Council's conference room in planning commission in the capital.

"The Cabinet secretary was given the special task to identify projects for the welfare of the people considering the socio-economic development aspect," Planning Division Senior Secretary Satyajit Karmakar told reporters after the meeting.

He added that the Cabinet secretary would meet with other secretaries of the ministries concerned, whose projects are nearing completion.  

"The meeting identified issues [regarding projects] and those would be conveyed to the planning commission. If further issues, regarding money disbursement and more, come up, then the finance ministry...."

Hasina gave the instructions at a time when projects are being persistently delayed, causing cost overruns while also lowering the expected benefits.

Satyajit also said the PM instructed the principal secretary of the Prime Minister's Office to take steps to release the money promised by the development partners to tackle the climate change impacts in Bangladesh.

"The premier stressed on taking concerted steps so that foreign loans and grants are disbursed without any hassle."

He added that the French government has already committed to provide $1 billion support to Bangladesh for tackling climate change impacts alongside the commitments from other development partners like the World Bank and the ADB.

Hasina gave the instructions when unused foreign loans surged to $48.44 billion in November from $44.7 billion in June 2023.

Satyajit added that the PM also gave directions to the authorities concerned to use products of local industries for development projects.

The ECNEC meeting approved nine projects, with an overall estimated cost of Tk 3,354 crore.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked all concerned, particularly the field administration, to ensure maintaining of building codes and actions against food stockpiling.

"All must keep an eye on pursuing building codes properly. The codes will have to be followed in every place of the country while constructing buildings."

The PM also directed authourites to be tough on any sort of food stockpiling and adulteration as such dishonest acts generally increase ahead of Ramadan.

She was providing a set of instructions while inaugurating the four-day DC Conference-2024 at the Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister's Office.

"We should construct buildings keeping in mind safety measures that include fire extinguishing management, cross ventilation, and rain harvesting system in line with the building codes."

Hasina thanked the Dhaka district administration for promptly rushing to the fire-hit Bailey Road building site and standing by the people.

She also directed the field administration to take effective measures so that the three-crop arable land cannot be used for other purposes like building houses or industries. "We have to protect the arable land."

Hasina instructed the field administration to keep vigil against food stocking and adulteration as some unscrupulous traders are indulged in making quick bucks creating artificial crisis by hoarding food ahead of the Ramadan. "You [DCs] have to give special attention to stop such acts."

"Tougher legal actions will have to be taken against these."

Hasina said the global economy suffers seriously for soaring inflation due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Covid-19 pandemic.

"There are countries in the world where inflation rate is 40 percent, but the inflation rate in Bangladesh is under 10."

The PM asked the field administration to take measures so that every inch of arable and fallow land grow more food.

"We must increase food production and decrease dependency on others. We proved earlier that we can do."

Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain spoke at the inaugural function.

Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka Md Sabirul Islam addressed the function on behalf of the divisional commissioners while DC of Chattogram Abul Bashar Mohammed Fakhruzzaman and DC of Gaibandha Kazi Nahid Rasul also spoke on behalf of the deputy commissioners.

The head of the government as well as ministers and secretaries of different ministries and divisions will join the discussions during different sessions and give necessary directives to the DCs.

A video documentary on the innovation, service, and overall development of the local administration was screened at the function.

Hasina once again asked the authorities concerned to take up the development programmes considering the locals' benefit.

She also asked for undertaking development schemes keeping in mind that nature, environment, and development are interrelated.

She also put emphasis on the proper waste management at the district, upazila, union, and ward levels to avert any disasters.

The cities are now facing difficulties in waste management while the water of rivers, canals, and beels is being polluted by the waste, she said, adding that it is a must to make people aware of it.

She ordered the deputy commissioners to supervise the development schemes being implemented across the country to ensure their proper and quick completion.

"You will have to supervise the projects and take responsibility for their good and bad. If the projects are implemented properly at appropriate places, we can build a developed country with limited resources."

She also called for effective measures to attract foreign and local investments in the 100 economic zones being set up across the country.

The premier stressed the need for inspiring the young generation to be entrepreneurs and invest in the economic zones.

She said many people at the upazila level have taxable incomes, but the collection of tax is not as much as the people are earning.

Hasina asked for reinforcing tax collection drives.

She called for measures to preserve the places related to the Liberation War, including the mass killing grounds, to let the people, particularly the children, know the country's true history.

China has invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit China at the soonest possible time.

"China earlier extended invitation to our Prime Minister. Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh renewed that invitation today," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen today.

"We will find out a suitable time for the visit," he told reporters.

Hasan Mahmud said China is working with Myanmar's authorities for Rohingya repatriation.

It is not a very favourable time for repatriation but it is expected that the repatriation will start soon, he said.

"In fact, there was always some sort of problems in Myanmar, and we hope that the tension that is there in Myanmar now will be normal soon. We can then start the repatriation."

The foreign minister said he discussed Bangladesh's huge trade gap with China and the need to address that.

Chinese Ambassador said China wants to import mango, jute, leather goods, seafood, etc from Bangladesh.

"We requested that these products should have duty-free access."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government will transform the Bangladesh Coast Guard into a three-dimensional force by inducting new technology and modern equipment.

"We have already given in-principle approval for the formation of an Aviation Wing with the purchase of two helicopters which will make the Coast Guard a three-dimensional force," she said.

The prime minister said this while addressing the 29th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Coast Guard at the BCG headquarters at Agargaon in the city.

She said the government has recently approved a new project to build nine replacement ships for the coast guard.

Besides, she said, approval was given for the procurement of four more OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels), two maritime version helicopters for deep sea patrolling by the Coast Guard for the safety of the public engaged in sea-based professions and waterways.

"In order to modernise and strengthen the Bangladesh Coast Guard, advanced technology ships, maritime surveillance systems, hovercrafts and high-speed boats are going to be added to this force very soon," she said.

The prime minister expressed her optimism that through the addition of all these ships with modern technology and the development of communication systems, this force will acquire more capabilities to face the challenges of the 21st century and will play a significant role in building a smart Bangladesh.

In addition, she said, plans have been adopted to increase the current strength to 15,000 manpower gradually as per Vision 2030 and Vision 2041 to modernise the force to provide blue economy and security at sea.

"To build Smart Bangladesh I believe that this force will play a special role," she said.

Hasina said a dockyard was also being built at Gazaria in Munshiganj for the construction, repair and maintenance of the force's vessels and ships.

She mentioned that some 16 vessels, including four OPVs, and 138 boats have been inducted in the BCG fleet.

Stating that the Awami League government has always been directly involved in the formation and development of Bangladesh Coast Guard, she said it had emerged as a force in context of a bill brought by AL in the Jatiya Sangsad in 1994 as the then opposition party.

After assuming power in 1996, the AL government took a massive initiative in expanding the Coast Guard's activities in the country's coastal areas by providing land for its various zones, different types of vessels and building infrastructure, she said.

Since 2009, various infrastructure including coastal crisis management centres, accommodation of officers and sailors of bases, officers' messes, sailors' quarters and administrative buildings have been constructed at coast guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of the country, she added.

Recalling the initiative of Bangladesh's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said Bangabandhu framed "The Territorial Waters and Maritime Zone Act" in 1974 to establish citizen's legal rights over the sea and marine resources.

She said that even the United Nations (UN) formulated such a law in 1982.

Until adoption of the law by the UN, the cases, not only in the region but also in Europe and other places across the globe, would have been settled following the law enacted by Bangabandhu, she said.

The prime minister said her government has established the country's rights on a vast maritime area after winning legal battles with neighbouring India and Myanmar while maintaining friendly relations.

She also reiterated her vow to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.

Hasina also inaugurated Bangladesh Coast Guard Vsatnet Communication System and newly constructed six physical infrastructures at the BCG stations at Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Mirsarai, Sandwip, Nidraskina and Shahpari Outpost.

The PM also conferred 10 Bangladesh Coast Guard Medals, 10 Bangladesh Coast Guard (Service) Medals, 10 President Coast Guard Medals and 10 President Coast Guard (Service) Medals to at least 40 BCG officers, sailors and civilians for their bravery.

The theme of this year's founding anniversary is "Smart Bangladesh, Smart Coast Guard".

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Public Security Division Secretary of the Home Ministry Md Mustafizur Rahman and BCG Director General Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali were present at the function.

At the outset of the programme, a smartly turned out contingent of the Bangladesh Coast Guard also gave a state-salute to the prime minister.

A short documentary on Coast Guard Vsatnet System was screened. Later, the prime minister enjoyed a cultural programme.