PM says ‘No’ Only engineer gets green light

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declined to approve a proposed visit to France by the administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) to study energy-efficient street lighting technology, underscoring his position against unnecessary overseas travel by public officials.

However, he approved the participation of RCC Executive Engineer (Electrical)
ABM Asaduzzaman Sweet, if deemed necessary.

The decision was communicated through a directive issued by the Prime Minister in response to a proposal submitted by the Local Government Division to the Prime Minister’s Office seeking approval for the visit of two RCC officials.

According to the directive, the knowledge and technical expertise to be gained from the programme would be most beneficial if acquired by a qualified engineer directly involved in the field.

“As the administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation is not an engineer, his participation does not carry any significance. Only the proposed Executive Engineer (Electrical) may attend the visit, if necessary,” the directive stated.

The Prime Minister also advised that institutions such as the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and other engineering universities be involved in similar innovation-focused initiatives in the future.
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Salah Shibly confirmed the authenticity of the directive when contacted.

The proposal was forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office following an invitation from Signify Bangladesh Ltd.

Under the plan, RCC Administrator Md Mahfujur Rahman Riton and Executive Engineer Sweet were to visit France and tour Signify France’s Outdoor Lighting Application Centre to gain first-hand knowledge of advanced energy-saving street lighting technologies.

The decision follows a recent move by the Prime Minister to reject a proposal for a visit to the United States by the mayor of Chattogram City Corporation and five officials to study mosquito control measures abroad.