The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Gaibandha

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed on Tuesday said the Bangladesh Army is working relentlessly for the interest of people of the country.

He said, "Activities of the Army have been very visible since January 11 as they want development of the country."

General Moeen said this as the chief guest while addressing the inaugural function of the 'Four Cows Combined Small Farm Project (FCCSFP)' at the Ansar Academy of the town on Tuesday.

The Army Chief said every work must be successful if it is done carefully and sincerely.

The FCCSFP has been taken up experimentally in the district to eradicate 'monga', he said seeking cooperation from all to make the project a success.

General Moeen also said local cows can meet only 20 percent demand for milk of the country and the rest 80 percent milk is imported from other countries at a high price. He stressed the need for setting up more dairy farms to meet the demand.

The Army Chief directed the district administrations to lease out the water bodies for fish farming to increase the revenue of the country.

People are not the burden on the country. They are the human resources, he said adding that 30 crore hands of 15 crore people have to be turned into working hands by providing them with training.

Earlier, General Moeen distributed certificates and documents among the beneficiaries of the project.

Deputy Commissioner of the district Quazi M Anwarul Hakim, Executive Director of the TMSS Prof Hosne Ara and Sahapara Union Parishad Chairman M Mahbubur Rahman, among others, addressed the function.

Rangpur Area Commander of the Army GOC Major General Syed Fatemi Ahmed Roomy, Commander of the 66 Artillery Brigade Brigadier Ibrahim Jamal, local Commanding Officer of the joint forces Lt Col Syed Fazley Ahmed Kader, district level Army and civil officials, and journalists were present on the occasion.

After the function, General Moeen inaugurated a biogas plant by igniting at the house of Jamila Begum at Bhabanipur of Sahapara union of Sadar upazila as the chief guest.

The Bangladesh Army, the Sahapara UP, the district administration, the Livestock Department and local voluntary organisations jointly implemented the plant at a cost of Taka 63,22,500.

A total of 25 poor families of Sahapara UP have been brought under the project.

Each family had to spend Taka 2,55,700 to buy four cows to set up the biogas plant, build a cowshed and do other things. Taka 5,000 was also given to each family for accessory work.

Out of Taka 2,55,700, the Bangladesh Army gave Taka 1,52,100 as grant, a local NGO Taka 79,000 as loan and a local voluntary organisation Taka 24,000 as grant to run the project. The loan will be paid with the four percent service charge in installments within the five years.

If the project is successful in this union, it will be extended to other parts of the districts of the northern region.

Earlier, the Army Chief visited Nilphamari and released fish fries in the canal of the Teesta Barrage.

Addressing a function on the occasion, he urged people to stand by the cyclone survivors in the southern part of the country.

He flew to Chowadangi High School ground of Jaldhaka upazila and released fries of various species of fish and distributed blankets among poor people.