Balanced development for all upazilas, regardless of party or region: Moyeen Khan

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan today said the government wants to ensure balanced development by prioritising the interests of people in all upazilas, irrespective of political affiliation or region.

Balanced development must be ensured across all 503 upazilas, without giving any upazila facilities denied to its neighbours, adding that the elected government must implement development programmes in the interests of people in all areas.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion meeting titled "Formulating Strategies for Installing Solar Power in Urban and Rural Areas through Cooperative Societies" as the chief guest at the Multipurpose Hall of the Cooperative Bhaban in Agargaon.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam was also present at the event.

Mentioning that government officials are not merely employees but are engaged in serving the country's people, Moyeen Khan said the government has considered properly evaluating their work and adjusting their salaries and allowances in line with the cost of living.

Although limited resources make it impossible to implement everything at once, efforts will be made to do so in phases over the next few years, he said.

Emphasising the role of government officials in implementing development plans at the grassroots level, the minister said ensuring that ordinary people benefit from all government activities must be the primary objective of public representatives and government officials.

They must also play an effective role in implementing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's grassroots-focused development plans, he said.

Highlighting the potential of solar power, the LGRD Minister said the use of renewable energy must be expanded as conventional energy sources are becoming limited.

Proper use of solar energy would benefit people, reduce costs and help improve their living standards, he said.

He urged the concerned officials to work responsibly to implement the government's plans and targets so that the benefits of solar power reach people across the country.

On strengthening institutional capacity in the rural development and cooperatives sectors, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said the administrative structures, areas of responsibility and facilities of the relevant institutions would be considered for further improvement.

Proposals raised by officials, including the proposal to upgrade the Rural Development Board to a directorate, would be reviewed seriously, he said.

Regarding cooperative societies, he said increasing the number of registered societies alone was not enough; they must be made effective and oriented towards public welfare.

Noting that around 250,000 cooperative societies are currently registered in the country, he stressed the need to ensure their actual effectiveness.

He urged the concerned officials to inspect the activities of cooperative societies in their respective areas and encourage them to work for people's welfare.

The minister also said the registration process for cooperative societies must be simplified so that ordinary rural people can easily form and operate them.

Collective initiatives through cooperatives can help advance the rural economy and public welfare activities, he said.

Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam expressed hope that solar power generation would soon turn into a social movement.

He said a decision had already been taken to install solar panels on the rooftops of educational institutions under the Ministry of Education and institutions, markets and bazaars under the Ministry of Local Government.

Installing solar panels through societies under the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division would also help address the country's temporary electricity shortage, he said.

He instructed cooperative and rural development officials to encourage rural people to generate solar power and provide them with the necessary support.

The state minister also said Tk 390 crore had already been released to local government institutions for installing solar panels and procuring related services.

Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Dr Rafiqul I Mohamed chaired the programme, which was attended by officials and employees of the ministry and its departments.