A Correspondent:
Banshkhali, Chattogram: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday urged the people to stay alert against those trying to create chaos, saying such attempts could hamper the country’s development and peace, ultimately harming the people.
“For the past few days, some people have been trying to spread confusions. Everyone must remain alert so that they cannot create any kind of disorder or confusion. Those spreading confusions will go away after serving their own interests, but ultimately it is the people of the country who will suffer,” he said.
The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest at a program titled “House Handover, Grant and Relief Distribution” at the Banshkhali High School and College ground, organized to rehabilitate fami-lies affected by the recent floods in Chattogram.
Referring to the government’s plan to be presented in parliament, Tarique Rahman said the BNP gov-ernment would place its overall development plans, including those for power and energy, before the House.
“If the opposition or anyone else has any plan, they can present it before the people. But do not create disorder or disturb people’s peace by making misleading statements,” he said, adding, “More than 50 years have passed since the country became independent. There is no time to look back anymore; now is the time to work and build the country.”
Around 10,000 to 12,000 families in Banshkhali upazila will come under the program, the Prime Minis-ter said, adding that alongside the Family Card, the government is introducing a “Farmer Card” to rec-ognise farmers, including salt farmers.
The premier also said a new price for salt would be announced soon to restore the economic stability of salt farmers, so they would no longer have to face the difficulties they had experienced in the past.
Talking about plans to develop Chattogram as an economic corridor, the Prime Minister said he had vis-ited Matarbari, Maheshkhali and Mirsarai earlier in the day.
“The vast sea is our national asset. We are working to attract both domestic and foreign investment to the Chattogram region,” he said, adding that a special zone had recently been established for Chinese inves-tors, where many industries would be set up and thousands of young people would find employment.
On healthcare, Tarique Rahman said the government’s 50-bed upazila hospitals would be upgraded to 101-bed hospitals within the next five years to ensure comprehensive healthcare for people at the grass-roots level.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and State Min-ister for Disaster Management and Relief Asadul Habib Dulu spoke at the programme.
Senior BNP leaders, officials of the Chattogram district administration and a large number of people were also present.
Before attending the program, the Prime Minister handed over the keys to a newly built house to a flood-affected family in Baharchhara village under a government rehabilitation programme for families whose homes were damaged by the floods.
He also planted a mahogany sapling in the yard of the new house and provided the family with rice and other essential commodities, as well as ducks and chickens.
