A safe Dhaka for all
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation Sajedul Haq Rubel yesterday pledged a safe and liveable city for all, if voted to power.
Rubel, running with CPB symbol sickle, made the promise while unveiling his 22-point election manifesto at a press conference in CPB’s Mukti Bhaban office.
He alleged that the two major political parties -- AL and BNP -- are busy protecting rights of only a single percent people. “It is high time that we elect a mayor who would work for the rest,” he added.
Reading out his manifesto, Rubel stressed the need for establishing a strong “urban governance” to enhance coordination among 56 departments under eight ministries for the city’s development.
He said a major part of the country’s population is youth and many are unemployed. “We would work for creating a congenial environment for small and medium entrepreneurs,” he added.
He said he would initiate a proper plan to reduce traffic jam and pollution.
Traffic congestions waste massive work hours. As a remedy, new roads will be constructed while the existing ones will be repaired. Also, all roads will eventually have bicycle lanes, he added.
Actions will be taken to compel auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to use metres and the city corporation will motivate people to use public transport, he said.
Terming Dhaka a “concrete jungle with only 3 percent greenery”, he said the city needs at least 25 percent greenery. “We will increase greenery by utilising open spaces, roadsides and rooftops,” he promised.
Blaming the slow pace of construction works behind air pollution, he promised to impose high tax on those polluting the city, violating rules. “Paper bags will be supplied to the markets instead of polythene,” he pledged.
Besides, DNCC will work with relevant authorities to save the four rivers surrounding Dhaka. Anti-mosquito drives will be redesigned and continued round the year if he is elected mayor, Rubel said.
The city corporation will protest any kind of illogical price hike of utility services. “We will stand against slum eviction drives that do not ensure people’s rehabilitation first,” he added.
The CPB candidate said about 72 percent people live in rented houses. The city corporation will make sure that landlords do not raise rent more than once a year. He also pledged hostels for working women and labourers and daycare centres in all wards.
He also promised to increase treatment facilities; set up holiday markets for hawkers before evicting them from streets; ensure separate public toilets for men, women and transgender persons; increase facilities for people with autism; preserve historical sites to attract tourists; recover parks and playgrounds from grabbers; uphold secularism and ensure accountability of mayor and ward councillors.
When asked about electioneering, Rubel alleged that the Election Commission is playing a biased role. “The EC has not been able to take any step to ensure that the polls will be free and fair. We will still participate in order to continue our fight for establishing democracy,” he said.
CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim was present at the event, among others.
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