The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday said the Armed Forces would return to barracks whenever the Government would ask them to do so.

He said the Army was helping the people as well as the Government to face all odds courageously.

Praising the sagacity of the people in all odds, Gen Moeen said, "The nation faced the recent devastating floods with courage and fortitude and the army would remain alongside the countrymen whenever it is necessary."

He said this while inaugurating Manikganj Tanti (weavers) Palli and Tant Bastra Mela (handloom fair) and distributing seeds and late-Aman paddy seedlings among flood-affected farmers at Savar Cantonment

When journalists, on sideline of the programmes, sought his reaction about the TI's Perception Index's new rating of the country, Gen Mooen said, "Its sounds good in the midst of all odds. Next year the rating may be beter."

Expressing the hope that Bangladesh would be a corruption free country in the near future if the ongoing anti-graft drive continues, he said Singapore, which was a seriously corruption-ridden country when it achieved independence, has now atained higher stage of development as it was able to successfully fight out corruption.

Urging all to join close ranks together against graft, the Army Chief said there is no reason as to why Bangladesh would lag behind in fighting corruption.

Referring to the on-going anti-corruption drive of the Government, he advised the people to wait for some time to derive its benefits.

While distributing seeds and paddy seedlings among farmers, he said "We need to be self-reliant by recovering the losses caused by floods through massive cultivation of crops even on the fallow lands."

The 9th Infantry Division of Savar Cantonment organised the function to distribute seeds and seedlings at manikganj Police line. Seeds of Mashkalai, maize and vegetables were also distributed on the occasion. Gen Moeen U Ahmed atended the programme as Chief Guest

The GOC of 9th Infantry Division Major General Ashab Uddin, Deputy Commissioner of Manikganj Mohammad Ataur Rahman, Police Super Imtiaz Ahmed as well as senior military and other officials were present on the occasion.

The late Aman seedlings grown on 10 acres in Savar garrison are being distributed among the farmers of Madaripur, Dhaka and Narayanganj that will benefit about 670 families.

Gen Moeen said the Army personnel for the first time produced seeds on their own initiative and distributed them free of cost among the flood-hit farmers of Madaripur, Narayanganj, Dhaka and Manikganj districts. "Our efforts will continue in future also," he said.

He thanked the people for keeping their morale high even during this year's second flood and stressed the need for maintaining strict surveillance to ensure easy availability of fertilizer and other inputs including diesels on time.

He said after this Government took the responsibility, the total electricity generation increased to 4200 MW from 2800 MW due to beter management He also talked to the farmers.

On this occasion, President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufactures and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Fazlul Haque donated Taka 300,000 to support the programme.

Later, General Moeen inaugurated Manikganj Tant Palli and Tant Bastra Mela' at Mota village under the pourashava as the Chief Guest The district administration in collaboration with the Joint Forces and the Manikganj Tanti Kalyan Samity is organising the fair.

In his inaugural address, General Moeen U Ahmed said the farmers as well as the weavers were oppressed by the middlemen and suggested them to work hard for achieving self-reliance.

He announced Taka 200,000 as grant for the Tanti Kalyan Samity, from where the weavers could take interest-free loan. He also urged the weavers to make the best use of their bank loan and repay it timely.

The Army Chief told the weavers of Manikganj that arrangements have been made to rehabilitate them in the government khas lands. Rehabilitation of more weavers is on the card. Arrangements are also underway so that the weavers can stand on their own feet by their own efforts.

Presided over by the Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ataur Rahman, the function was also addressed by President of Tanti Kalyan Samity Abdul Karim.