Dinajpur, Mar 16 (V7N) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday said the government will take initiatives to establish agro-processing industries in Dinajpur to utilise the region’s agricultural potential, strengthen the local economy and create employment opportunities.

“If agricultural products can be preserved and processed properly, the local economy will become stronger and employment opportunities will also increase,” he said.

The premier made the remarks while addressing a civic reception and iftar gathering at Dinajpur Circuit House ground in the evening.

Tarique Rahman said Dinajpur holds special emotional value for him as it is connected with the home of his maternal grandparents.

“Whenever I think of Dinajpur, the first thing that comes to my mind is my grandmother’s house,” he said, recalling his childhood memories in the Balubari and Ghasipara areas of the town.

He said this personal connection has inspired him to work for the development of the district.

Referring to speeches by local officials and business leaders, the prime minister said they highlighted various problems and potentials of the district and the government would give serious consideration to those issues.

Reiterating that the government has begun implementing its election commitments, he said many promises made to the people have already started being implemented within about a month of forming the government.

As part of those commitments, Tarique Rahman said the nationwide canal excavation programme was formally launched from Sahapara in Kaharole upazila of Dinajpur.

“For many years our rivers, canals and waterways have been filled up. As a result, there is water scarcity during the dry season, while sudden water flow during monsoon damages crops and homes,” he said.

The prime minister said the government plans to excavate about 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years, which will help expand irrigation and reduce dependence on groundwater.

Expressing concern over excessive groundwater use, he said water that was once available at a depth of 100 to 150 feet now often requires drilling 600 to 700 feet.

“If water is retained through excavation of canals and rivers, groundwater will gradually recharge and arsenic problems will also decline,” he added.

Highlighting initiatives for women’s economic empowerment, the premier said the government has launched a programme to provide a “Family Card” to four crore families led by women across Bangladesh.

“Half of the country’s population is women. Bangladesh cannot move forward by leaving them behind,” he said.

He added that a pilot project for the Family Card programme has already started in 15 areas across the country, including the Dinajpur-6 constituency, and it will be expanded nationwide after evaluation.

The prime minister also said the government has started providing honorariums for religious leaders including imams, muezzins and khatibs in mosques as well as leaders of other faiths.

Earlier in the day, Tarique Rahman inaugurated the excavation of 53 canals nationwide by launching work on the 12-kilometre Sahapara Canal in Balrampur area of Kaharole upazila.

He formally launched the programme by cutting soil with a spade and later planted a sapling on the bank of the canal.

Among others present at the event were LGRD and Cooperative Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, local lawmaker Syed Jahangir Alam, Dinajpur Chamber of Commerce President Abu Bakar Siddiq and Deputy Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam.

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