Scrap unnecessary projects

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the deputy commissioners to ensure that no development projects that damage the environment and ecological balance are taken up.

"Cancel all the unnecessary projects," she said while presenting a 24-point directive on the first day of the annual DC Conference yesterday.

For it, the DCs framed 263 proposals, one of the which was to form committees at the district level to oversee development projects.

Rejecting the proposal, the government suggested that the DCs carry out supervision as per the law.

The PM inaugurated the conference as the chief guest, joining virtually from the Ganabhaban, reports BSS.

She asked the DCs to discharge their duties with the mindset of serving the people and ensuring welfare of the commoners.

"I call upon you to focus on some issues out of all the huge tasks you are already doing.

"Public welfare and service-oriented projects would have to be taken up considering the promises that public representatives make to the people."

She also asked the DCs to take and implement projects in coordination with the public representatives.

Hasina directed the commissioners to take stringent measures to protect government lands, rivers, forests, hills and natural waterbodies.

"Give emphasis on vertical extension in case of constructing new government buildings to ensure maximum use of land, and planned urbanisation and forestation," she said.

The PM asked the DCs to take a tougher stance against religious fanaticism and militancy to maintain communal harmony.

About drives against narcotics, she told them to continue the "zero-tolerance" policy against drugs to create a society free from the menace of drugs.

She also instructed them to strengthen market monitoring to ensure a smooth supply of products in the markets, prevent artificial crises, and keep prices normal.

Hasina then asked them to take initiatives to coordinate work of government offices in all districts accordingly to ensure Bangladesh's spot on the list of developed countries by 2041.

The conference began on a limited scale due to the fresh surge in Covid-19 cases. It was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the presence of 15 ministers and secretaries.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam and the PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus addressed the conference.

Divisional Commissioner of Khulna Ismail Hossain, Deputy Commissioners of Chandpur and Rangpur Anjana Khan Majlish and Asif Ahsan spoke on behalf of the divisional commissioners and DCs.

MEETING WITH MINISTERS

At the inaugural session, DCs met with the ministers of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and Planning Ministry and top officials of the Finance Division, Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division and Economic Relations Division.

Planning Minister MA Mannan, after the meeting, said the DCs proposed forming committees at the district level to supervise project implementations.

"We told them that there was no need for it [separate committee]. They have the right to look after work in their respective areas. We told them we will maintain regular communications with them and also to carry out their job accordingly."

Mashiur Rahman, PM's adviser on economic affairs, said the DCs will be involved in overseeing projects implementations if it is necessary.

"Mega projects are carried out in several districts. Therefore, it is difficult to form committees."

Another proposal by the DCs was to erect multi-storied buildings under the Ashrayan Project – which the PM office rejected. 

The DCs also proposed their representation in the selection committee during the appointment of principals and headmasters at private schools and colleges, ensuring transparency in the work of the institutions' managing committees, and forming coordination committees for secondary education at the upazila level.

After meeting them, Education Minister Dipu Moni told journalists that they are considering the proposals.

About in-person classes during the spread of the Omicron variant, she said, "The situation to shut educational institutions has not yet been created in the country."

She added that students will join online classes if Omicron spreads in educational institutions and the priority now is on vaccinating all students between 12 and 17 years.

"Until Monday, 86 lakh students have been brought under the vaccination campaign."

On the second day of the conference today, six sessions will be held with 13 ministries.