MP Badal replies to citizen’s query in video message

Mayeenuddin Khan Badal, the lawmaker from Chittagong 8 constituency, has responded to a citizen's query regarding the progress of a development project via online platform amarmp.com. Md Arman Hossen, a voter from Chandgaon Upazila under the constituency, wanted to know when the construction of the Kalurghat-Boalkhali multi-purpose bridge might begin. Later, amarmp.com ambassador from the area Ashfaq Hossain Khan collected the answer in a video message from lawmaker Badal. The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader said that initiatives had already been taken to build the rail-cum-road bridge but it was delayed due to complexities with the design, land acquisition and condition of the connecting roads. He hoped that the tender for the project could be floated by June this year, as estimated by Bangladesh Railway. Badal said that it was one of the prime minister’s prioritised projects since the bridge is important to establishing a railway connection between Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong. Registered as a voluntary social welfare organisation, amarmp.com is the first and only online bridge between the lawmakers and citizens of Bangladesh, where anyone can place a query to his/her MP. The organisation collects answers through their volunteers, who they call ambassadors, and post them on the website. Badal’s video message, the first such communication by an MP, is available on the YouTube channel of the website. It was opened for public in December last year. The organisation has already deployed over 30 volunteers as ambassadors, one from each district, who will collect answers from the lawmakers. At the preliminary stage, more than eight MPs have so far responded to citizens’ questions through the platform. Md Abu Zahir, an AL lawmaker from Habiganj 3 who is also active in social media, was the first MP to make his statement. The organisation, comprised of Sushanta Das Gupta as its president, Iftheker Mohammad as general secretary and 19 other youths as founding members, aims to play a key role in ensuring transparency and accountability of parliament members for the greater good of the common people of the country. The website is expected to be launched in full capacity within a couple of months.