LGIs elections will be fair; govt won’t shoulder any stigma: Shahe Alam

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said the government aims to deliver free, fair and impartial elections of local government institutions (LGIs) and will not shoulder any electoral stigma.
 
“The elections of LGIs will commence in January, in accordance with the Election Commission’s announcement and the current government will not accept any stigma associated with the electoral process,” he said. 
 
He was talking to local journalists before addressing a meeting of the District Law and Order Committee, organised by the district administration at the deputy commissioner’s conference room as the chief guest this afternoon.
 
At the meeting, the state minister noted that the government is actively working on the development of the long-neglected Rangpur region. 
 
Various issues facing the district have been identified, and solutions will be implemented in phases. 
 
Responding to questions from journalists regarding the law and order situation in Rangpur, he said, “We will provide necessary directives from today’s (29 september) meeting. If the situation does not improve by next month’s meeting, action will be taken against the officials held responsible.” 
 
Regarding balanced development across the country, the state minister said, “Development will be carried out in Rangpur in line with the nationwide trend of balanced development”. 
 
He said, “Allocations totaling Tk127 crore have already been made for the six constituencies of Rangpur. Additionally, development project proposals worth approximately Tk3,600 crore for the Rangpur division have been submitted to Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).” 
 
The state minister added that development project proposals have also been made for public health, education, and other vital sectors. Through the rapid implementation of these projects, Rangpur’s long-standing issues will be resolved gradually, he added.  
 
Speaking on the Teesta Master Plan, he stated that the government is actively working on it and is firmly committed to implementing effective initiatives regarding the plan very soon. 
 
Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Israt Jahan, the meeting was attended by the lawmakers from Rangpur district, senior officials, members of law enforcement agencies, and officials from various relevant departments.