'Development halted during AL rule'

LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday said revival of development activities has been possible because of relentless efforts made by the present government.

The wheel of country's development was halted earlier due to politicisation of administration and corruption of the previous Awami League government during its five-year rule, he said while laying the foundation stone of Singra Pourashabha Bhaban here.

Presided over by Chairman of Singra Pourashabha Shamim Al-Razi, the function was addressed by Deputy Minister for LGRD and Co-operatives Advocate Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, Professor Kazi Alam, Golam Morshed MP and district and thana unit leaders of BNP.

Jatiya Party's Natore district unit Vice President Abu Taher joined the BNP during the function.

Criticising the main opposition in parliament, Mannan Buiyan, who is also the Secretary General of BNP, said the Awami League had created a chaotic situation in the administration by giving appointment and promotion in different vital posts of the government considering political identity. It (AL) also gave appointment of many unskilled persons to some vital posts, he alleged.

The minister said the politics of extortion and commission was practised during the Awami League rule. In this context, he mentioned the purchase of MIG-25 for the air force and a frigate for Bangladesh Navy.

"The MIG-25 has already turned into an old model. Its maintenance expenditure is very high," he said adding that nobody wants to buy the MIG at present.

Calling upon the people to extend support for implementing different development programmes of the government, he said the purchasing capacity of the people has to be increased for creating internal markets of Bangladeshi products.

He urged the people to elect honest and skilled persons as chairmen of Union Parishads in the upcoming election to the local government body.