Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced plans to quickly construct Padma and Teesta barrages to solve the water crisis, increase irrigation facilities for agriculture and ensure a fair share of water. He said the government will take all necessary initiatives to ensure Bangladesh’s share of water.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a public meeting organized at Rajshahi’s historic Madrasa Ground on Tuesday afternoon.
Tarique Rahman said, water crisis is arising in various areas due to the decrease in water flow in the Padma River. To deal with this situation, a decision has been taken to construct barrages in the Padma and Teesta rivers. Discussions will be held with those who have created the water problem. The government will take necessary steps to ensure the country’s fair share of water. At the same time, the construction of the barrage will be taken forward as soon as possible.
Plan to dig 20,000 kilometers of canals in five years
Highlighting the implementation of a canal digging program across the country to ensure irrigation facilities for farmers, the Prime Minister said that there is a plan to dig 20,000 kilometers of canals in the next five years. She said that 800 kilometers of canals have already been dug in eight months.
Tarique Rahman said that farmers will get irrigation water through the digging of canals. Besides, this program will also help in recharging groundwater.
Referring to the northern region as the country’s grain bank, he said that water shortage in this region is a big challenge for agriculture. There is a similar problem in other parts of the country. He mentioned that the canal digging program was started during the reign of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and the Barendra Project was also implemented then.
The family of the martyrs of July and the injured should be by their side.
In her speech, the Prime Minister also highlighted initiatives to commemorate those killed in the July 2024 movement, treat the injured, and provide employment to the family members of the martyrs.
He said that many people were killed before the fall of the dictatorial regime. A memorial was built in Dhaka on Monday in their memory. He commented that BNP embodies the history of both the 1971 Liberation War and the 1924 July Movement.
Warning about worker discontent in factories
The Prime Minister also claimed at the public meeting that efforts are being made to create worker discontent in some industries in the country. She said the government has intelligence information on this matter.
Tarique Rahman alleged that people from the ousted ruling class are supplying money from across the border and a faction within the country is trying to create instability with the help of that money. He urged everyone to be alert about such activities.
However, no detailed information or statements from the relevant parties were presented at the public meeting in support of this statement.
Those who were present at the public meeting
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi presided over the public meeting. Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton moderated the meeting, while BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, MP Abu Sayeed Chand, Professor Nazrul Islam Mondal, Shafiqul Haque Milon, Nipun Roy Chowdhury and party chairman’s advisor Major General (retd) Sharif Uddin and other leaders spoke.
Also present were State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, Advisor to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, BNP’s Industrial Affairs Secretary Abul Kalam, and Member of Parliament for the reserved women’s seat Mahmuda Habiba.