The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar yesterday said the political leaders should realise that socio-economic development of the country is not possible excluding the people of rural area.

The seminar on "Rural Socio-economic reform" was held at CIRDAP Auditorium in the city organised by Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB).

Khushi Kabir, Chairperson of ALRD, moderated the seminar, while former chief adviser Justice Habibur Rahman, attended as chief guest.

Chairman of RIB Shamsul Bari, delivered the inaugural speech and member of management committee Anisur Rahman delivered the welcome speech.

Prominent economists Prof Rehman Sobhan and Prof Abul Barakat, former minister and AL leader Abdur Razzaque, former minister and BNP leader Md Shamsul Islam, Dr Badiul Alam of SUJON, Chairman of Bangladesh Mahila Parisad Ayesha Khanam, executive director of ALRD Shamsul Huda, AL leader Dr Abdur Razzaque, executive director of RIB Prof Meghna Guhathakurta, Haidar Akbar Khan Rono, among others, took part in the discussion.

Habibur Rahman said the ownership of rural area's land has to ensure by electing honest and qualified persons in acceptable and creditable election according to the choice of rural people.

He remarked this matter is very important for our civil society.

Rehman Sobhan called upon the political leaders to include the declaration for land and agriculture reform in their election manifestos to protect the interest of marginal and poor people of the country.

The speakers said the next government has to take the effective Programme by land and agriculture reform to ensure food security and to create opportunity for the country.

Professor of Dhaka University MM Akash, presented the Keynote Paper.

He mentioned there are 72 percent people of the rural area are poor and landless. Bangladesh won't be enlightened excluding this part of people, he added.

He also mentioned the government is responsible to maintain the economic empowerment of them as the right of constitution.

He suggested the Khash land; water body and the land of Char among the rural people should be distributed.