Government declares zero tolerance for drugs, violence against women.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat today said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declared zero tolerance against drugs, extortion, rape and violence against women.
“There will be no compromise on these four issues,” he said while addressing a meeting of the Sherpur District Law and Order, Development and Coordination Committee as the chief guest.
The meeting was held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here with Deputy Commissioner Farida Yasmin in the chair.
The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been making relentless efforts to consolidate democracy and move the country forward.
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is one of the key leaders working to advance Bangladesh’s development and consolidate democracy in the country,” he said.
Millat said that the BNP came to state power through a democratic election at a time when the country was facing various challenges, including electricity, fuel and gas.
“There is, therefore, no reason to be unsettled by these challenges. We are hopeful that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will resolve these issues quickly,” he said
Describing drug abuse as a grave threat to society, Millat said narcotics are destroying families, communities and the country, calling for concerted efforts to eradicate the menace.
“Drugs must be eradicated. With the cooperation of political leaders, government officials and the people, we have to eliminate drugs once and for all,” he said.
The minister urged political leaders not to lobby or make recommendations on behalf of drug addicts or those involved in harbouring drug offenders or selling narcotics.
He said the government is determined to make Bangladesh drug-free, adding that the country’s interests cannot be sacrificed for political considerations.
Addressing government officials, Millat urged them to leave behind the “partisan subservience” of the past and discharge their responsibilities with dedication to building a new Bangladesh.
“There are around 70 government departments in a district. If all these departments work together for the welfare of common people, there should be no reason for the public to suffer,” he said.
“You are government employees, you receive salaries from the public exchequer, and your responsibility is to serve the people,” the minister added.
He said proper functioning of the upazila administration and police would play a crucial role in maintaining law and order at the grassroots.
“If the UNO and Officer-in-Charge of an upazila exercise proper oversight, law and order in that area will automatically remain under control,” he said.
Calling for greater cooperation between politicians and public officials, Millat said such coordination would help improve the country’s overall law and order situation.
Referring to different government initiatives, he said the government has implemented numerous programmes, including the Family Card and Farmer Card schemes, canal excavation and re-excavation, and a programme to plant 25 crore trees within five years.
He said initiatives in primary education include providing books, school bags and mid-day meals, while free education for girls has been introduced up to graduation level.
“The country will move forward if we become an educated nation,” he said.
Millat said dealers are being appointed in every union under the Farmer Card programme and expressed hope that the existing fertiliser shortage would be resolved soon.
Turning to development projects in Sherpur, the minister said a project aimed at preventing floods caused by flash floods flowing down from India’s Meghalaya state is nearing finalisation.
He said proposals for constructing embankments along the Maharashi and Someshwari rivers in Jhenaigati upazila are now at the pre-ECNEC stage.
Millat said a hotel would also be constructed in Jhenaigati as part of efforts to develop Sherpur as a tourism destination.
“By working together, we will change the fortunes of the long-neglected Sherpur,” he added.
Sherpur-2 lawmaker Md Mahmudul Haque Chowdhury, Sherpur-3 lawmaker Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury, reserved women’s seat lawmaker Sansila Zebrin, Superintendent of Police A.K.M. Zahirul Islam and members of the District Law and Order Committee, among others, attended the meeting.
