LGRD Minister hopeful of forming separate dept

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed hope for the formation of a separate department for the overall development and welfare of ethnic minorities.

He expressed this hope at a view-exchange meeting held with the Bangladesh Nationalist Minority Ethnic Group at the BNP party office in the capital’s Gulshan on Wednesday evening. The meeting discussed the development, education, employment and political representation of minority ethnic groups. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Bijon Kanti Sarkar was present at the time.

In his speech as the chief guest, the Local Government Minister said that the minority ethnic community not only voted but also actively worked for the BNP in the elections. He thanked them for this. He said that the representation of minority ethnic groups has been ensured through reserved seats for women.

In the future, efforts will be made to ensure their representation in the upper house of parliament as well.
The minister further said that through a long-term plan, the opportunities for education, employment and low-interest loans for children of ethnic minorities will be increased. In addition, the government will think positively about establishing a separate department to ensure their overall welfare.

Bijan Kanti Sarkar said in the meeting that there is no lack of sincerity of the government in the development of ethnic minorities. He urged ethnic minority women to come forward in the nursing profession and expressed hope to work in this regard.