Not party affiliation or region, government wants balanced development of all upazilas: LGRD Minister

He said this while speaking as chief guest at a discussion meeting on determining strategies for installing solar power in urban and rural areas through cooperative societies, organized by the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division at Cooperative Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka on Saturday (October 10).

The minister said the development of the country's 503 upazilas must be balanced. Facilities should not be given to one upazila that people of another upazila will not get. The main duty of government officials and public representatives is to deliver the benefits of development activities to ordinary people.

Regarding the salaries and allowances of government officials, he said the government has considered adjusting salaries in line with the cost of living. Due to limited resources, even if not everything can be implemented at once, initiatives will be taken gradually over the next few years. He also said the matter of adjusting salaries every year in line with inflation has been raised in the cabinet before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Emphasizing increasing the use of solar power, the minister said that as conventional energy sources are becoming limited, the use of renewable energy is urgent. Proper use of solar power can help save costs and improve people's quality of life. Besides, matters including a proposal to convert the Rural Development Board into a department and increase the administrative structure and facilities of related institutions will be reviewed.

Noting that there are nearly two and a half lakh registered cooperative societies in the country, he said that merely increasing the number of societies will not do; they must be made effective and public welfare-oriented. He also emphasized simplifying the registration process of cooperative societies for ordinary people.

Speaking as special guest at the event, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said a decision has been made to install solar panels on the roofs of educational institutions, local government institution buildings and haats/bazaars. If solar panels can also be installed through cooperative societies, it will help tackle the electricity crisis. He also said Tk 390 crore has already been released in favor of local government institutions for this work.

Officials and employees of the ministry and departments were present at the event presided over by Dr. Rafiqul E. Mohmed, Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division.