The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rangamati

Three hill districts-Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban-will be brought under mobile phone network soon.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said this while exchanging views with the district level officers and elite of the three hill districts in Rangamati Tribal Cultural Institute Auditorium.

Local headmen, businessmen, small and medium entrepreneurs, teachers, journalists and representatives of local bodies took part in the discussion.

"Introduction of mobile phone network in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region is a long cherished demand of people. So, the government has decided to take a positive decision to this end" the chief adviser said.

Dr. Fakhruddin said the government would consider the matter to set up digital telephone exchanges in different upazilas in CHT with availability of resources.

Referring to allowances of headmen, circle chief and 'karbaris', he said the government would consider the matter of raising their allowances sympathetically and taking decision to increase their salaries.

About setting up judge courts in the hill districts, Dr. Fakhruddin said the High Court has already decided to establish courts in these districts. The Chief Adviser said the government would take all out measures to implement the High Court directives to set up judge courts and appoint manpower by next April.

He called upon all irrespective of caste, creed and religion to extend cooperation to the government for holding a free, fair and credible election with a view to building a corruption free and enlightened society. Describing the CHT as a heaven of eco-tourism, Dr Fakhruddin said the government is eager to flourish tourism industry in the hill region not hampering its environment and livelihood of local people.

In this connection, the Chief Adviser welcomed private entrepreneurs to come forward and invest in tourism sector here. " I hope that public-private joint venture could play an important role to this end" he added. Referring to damages caused by rats in the agriculture of hill districts, the Chief Adviser said the government has undertaken steps to help the affected people.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Raja Debashish Roy gave address of welcome.

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed, GOC 24 Infantry Division Maj Gen Abdul Mubin, Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma, Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong Hossain Jamil and Rangamati Deputy Commissioner M Nurul Amin were present.

Dr. Fakhruddin laid emphasis on expansion of power supply in the CHT and said the government has undertaken steps for infrastructure development for socio-economic progress of hill tracts people.

Referring to spread of education in the CHT, the Chief Adviser said the government has taken various steps to expand education in this region.

In this connection, he underlined the need for setting up of boarding schools for the children.

About land reform measures in the CHT, Dr Fakhruddin said the government is actively considering of taking effective steps to conduct the activities of land commission smoothly for solving the problems.

He said the main objective of the government is to ensure socio-economic progress in CHT by maintaining law and order for public welfare.

Listing different development programmes undertaken in the hill districts after signing the CHT peace accord in 1997, the Chief Adviser said Taka 1,269 crore was allocated for local development so far.

Besides, Taka 257.73 crore has also been allocated for development of the hill tracts during the current fiscal, he added.

Dr. Fakhruddin thanked development partners and NGOs working for the development of CHT.

He asked all concerned to be careful to avoid duplication in running government and non-government development programmes.