The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangpur

The Council of Advisers of Bangladesh caretaker government at a meeting here yesterday decided to set up a full-fledged university in Rangpur.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed presided over the meeting held at the local Circuit House.

Advisers of the caretaker government and special assistants to the chief adviser attended the meeting held for the first time outside Dhaka with an aim to bring the government to the doorstep of people.

"Directive has been given to start work for preparing a project for the university in Rangpur," the chief adviser said while talking to journalists after the meeting.

The meeting also decided to expedite the ongoing initiatives of the government for agricultural diversification, employment generation and expansion of massive tourism considering the different historic sites in the northern region.

It directed the authorities concerned for vigorous and round-the-clock monitoring to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and fertiliser, and irrigation during the upcoming IRRI-Boro season.

However, the council has formed a committee headed by Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman to formulate a work plan for an integrated and speedy step to solve the multi-dimensional 'monga' in the region.

The meeting directed the authorities concerned to make programmes on a priority basis to construct and repair roads, rail lines, culverts and bridges in the region.

It was informed that the government had received a proposal from expatriate Bangladeshis to run Biman services at Syedpur, Ishwardi and Thakurgaon airports.

The meeting directed the ministries concerned to make Biral, Banglaband and Sonarhat land ports effective with an aim to expedite economic activities in the northern region.

The council gave responsibilities to the secretary of the chief adviser's office to take steps for creating skilled manpower by integrating training programmes conducted by various ministries, separately in the northern districts.

The meeting was informed that the government is actively considering providing licences for various recruiting agencies in the areas aiming at increasing exports of local manpower to boost the economy.

The council also directed the authorities concerned to take steps for ensuring adequate doctors, nurses and other manpower in the hospitals to improve health services in the region.

The meeting was informed that the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs would look after the affairs of the "Begum Rokeya Memorial Centre" at Pairabandh of Mithapukur upazila and formulate a work plan within the next three months for development of the centre.

Later, the chief adviser at a press briefing at Rangpur Circuit House this afternoon said the government for the first time has been brought to the doorstep of the people by holding such meeting of the council outside Dhaka. "Holding such meeting outside Dhaka will contribute a lot to solve local problems to a great extent," he added.

Replying to a question, he said the government will take steps to implement the development proposals for the region gradually.

Responding to another question, he said hopes and aspiration of the people are to hold a free, fair and credible election so that the honest and competent persons could win the polls.

About preparation of a correct voter list, he said a flawless electoral roll would help make all elections transparent in future.

The chief adviser said the government has a plan to hold such meetings in other areas of the country.