State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said four crore families will gradually come under the government’s Family Card programme, with no bribes required to obtain the cards.
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government is a government of the people. That is why he has introduced several signature projects for the people, including the Family Card. Four crore families will come under the programme. No one needs to pay a bribe to get the card. Everyone will receive it in phases. Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman will also receive a Family Card. This is a decision of the BNP government,” he said.
The state minister made the remarks on Thursday afternoon while speaking as the chief guest at a cheque-distribution ceremony organised by the Chittagong District Council at the Baharchhara Union Parishad premises in Banshkhali upazila.
The cheques were distributed as financial assistance for rehabilitating people affected by the recent floods.
Shahe Alam said the BNP would seek votes again by highlighting its tangible development achievements, including improvements in electricity and gas supplies, roads, education and sports, rather than making promises of paradise.
“The BNP government is a government of the people. The government has been in office for only a short time. Short-, medium- and long-term plans have been taken to bring changes in various sectors, including electricity and gas. After five years, we will return to the people and give an account of the government’s work,” he said.
He also said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia made two Jamaat leaders ministers in 2001 in an attempt to remove the “Razakar” label from them.
“But Jamaat has now forgotten those things,” he said.
On the government’s efforts to rehabilitate flood victims, Shahe Alam said the authorities were making every effort to support those affected.
“People in Banshkhali, Chandanaish and Satkania suffered extensive damage due to sudden heavy rainfall and flooding. The district administration and the government have stood by the people to deal with the situation,” he said.
The state minister apologised to the people for any shortcomings in government assistance. He said additional relief allocations were secured in consultation with the district administration and relevant ministries whenever shortages arose during the floods.
“I came to Banshkhali at the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He instructed me to stand by the flood victims and take necessary measures,” Shahe Alam said.
On the development of Banshkhali, the state minister said the tender had already been floated to widen the Anwara-Banshkhali-Chakaria road to 34 feet.
“The road project, costing several hundred crore taka, is expected to be completed within the next one to one and a half years. If you provide a list of other roads in Banshkhali that need repair or construction, my ministry will take the necessary steps,” he said.
Urging BNP leaders and activists to remain patient, Shahe Alam said the party had returned to power after a long time and still had much of its government term remaining.
“Those who stood by the party during its difficult times will be evaluated gradually. Within the framework of law and regulations, they will be given opportunities for jobs, legitimate dealerships and government work,” he said.
Speaking as the chair of the programme, Chittagong District Council Administrator Mahabuber Rahman Shamim said the district council had distributed relief among flood-affected people during the floods.
“After taking charge as administrator, I announced that the district council would stand by families affected by the floods and support their rehabilitation. Financial assistance is being provided to 510 families in Banshkhali for rehabilitation. Another 590 families in Chitttgong will receive assistance in phases,” he said.
