Infrastructure projects planned to cut regional wealth disparity
Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday announced that the government will implement a number of infrastructure projects to reduce regional wealth disparity in the country.
Azizul said the government plans on implementing the 'Strategy for Poverty Reduction in the Lagging Regions of Bangladesh' after a closer look at the long-term policy recommendations provided by a finance ministry task force.
But, the government also plans to cut funding for three projects in Chittagong Hill Tracts by Tk 25 crore, reducing the fund from Tk 105 crore to Tk 80 crore.
The proposed infrastructure recommendations include the construction of the Padma Bridge, Mongla Port development and setting up a fertiliser and a coal-fired power plant in the north.
The government's human resource development plans comprise creation of vocational training institutes in monga-prone areas, and extension of tourism facilities in the Sunderbans and Kuakata.
The government also plans to expand social safety net programmes in disadvantaged remote areas, and is prioritising projects in the char and monga-prone areas as part of a 'balanced development' programme.
Azizul noted in his budget speech that economic growth across the country has not been balanced, resulting in wealth- and income-distribution disparity among different regions.
The finance ministry task force was created to find ways to reduce the regional disparity.
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