RAJSHAHI, February 23, 2026 (V7N) — Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr. ANM Bazlur Rashid today lauded the successful conduct of the recent national election and referendum, noting that the division witnessed a peaceful and festive atmosphere. Presiding over the Divisional Development Coordination Meeting, he highlighted that Rajshahi achieved a nearly 72 percent voter turnout, the second-highest in the country. He emphasized that the seamless inter-departmental coordination displayed during the polls should serve as a blueprint for collective responsibility in future nation-building efforts.

The meeting reviewed significant advancements in the healthcare sector, with the Health Department confirming the appointment of 450 new doctors under the 48th Special BCS. Each upazila in the division has been assigned seven to eight doctors to enhance rural medical services. Additionally, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital has been allocated 10 million BDT to provide specialized support for 200 patients suffering from complex diseases, marking a substantial boost to the region's social safety net.

In preparation for the upcoming Ramadan and irrigation season, the Electricity Department announced the establishment of a dedicated control room for load management to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. The Food Department also reported a robust reserve of 350,000 metric tons of rice—double its initial collection target—ensuring market stability. To safeguard these resources, the Commissioner issued a strict directive for officials to monitor and prevent any illegal fertilizer smuggling or unauthorized inter-upazila transfers.

The Agriculture Department reported a surplus in food production, noting that Rajshahi now supplies 24 percent of the nation’s total potato demand. While the region remains food-secure, officials were urged to address the current deficit in pulse production. Simultaneously, the Water Development Board highlighted progress on major dredging projects and new initiatives approved by ECNEC to combat river erosion in Chapainawabganj Sadar and Shibganj, protecting vital agricultural land from seasonal flooding.

Concluding the session, the Commissioner addressed new social welfare guidelines being formulated by the Social Services Department. These include the introduction of family cards as outlined in the government’s new election manifesto to streamline the distribution of benefits. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners from all eight districts and various divisional heads, who were urged to ensure that all development projects are completed with transparency and efficiency to maintain the current momentum of regional growth.
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