Help govt implement dev programmes: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon all to help her government implement its development programmes to change the socioeconomic status of the masses.

The prime minister was delivering her introductory speech at the inaugural programme of a three-day “Development Fair” at upazila and district levels across the country from her official residence Gono Bhaban via a videoconference, marking the Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The main objective of the fair is to inform the country's people about the development initiatives and the ongoing programmes the government has taken to build Bangladesh as a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041. Similar fairs will also be held abroad with a view to ensuring the participation of Bangladeshi expatriates in the development initiatives.

The prime minister said the country's people are now getting the benefits of the measures like providing free textbooks, stipends and other assistance to create an educated and poverty-free country.

Later, Hasina exchanged views with local public representatives, government officials, cross-sections of people, including the beneficiaries of One House One Farm project, getting connected with Habiganj, Barguna, Chandpur, Jhenidah and Gaibandha through the videoconference.

Hasina also asked the deputy commissioners to find out how many people have been homeless due to river erosion or any other reasons and make a list in this regard so that the government can build houses to rehabilitate them properly.