Dhaka, Sep 19 (V7N)- Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu has claimed that many houses built under the previous government's Ashrayan housing programme were not durable and are no longer occupied.
He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at an event held at the Krishibid Institution in Dhaka.
According to Dulu, many of the previously constructed houses have remained vacant, while some have allegedly become gathering places for people without permanent accommodation.
The minister said the government plans to introduce a new Ashrayan initiative under which houses will be constructed on the beneficiaries' own land. The programme will target ultra-poor families owning between two and 10 decimals of land.
The proposed houses will include solar power facilities, while beneficiaries will receive training in income-generating activities, including mushroom cultivation, he said.
Dulu said the new approach would allow poor families to remain integrated with their communities rather than being relocated to isolated housing settlements. As a pilot initiative, aesthetically designed houses are planned in 25 upazilas across the country.
The minister also discussed the government's canal restoration programme, saying that simply excavating canals would not be sufficient. He stressed that restored canals should be developed for multiple purposes, including drainage, water retention and supporting rural economic activities.
He said many canals across the country have deteriorated because of years of inadequate maintenance and silt accumulation. The government plans to initially develop 20 canals as model canals, with the initiative eventually expected to expand nationwide. A BSS report has previously confirmed the government's plan to develop 20 model canals across the country as pilot projects.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate a model canal in Lalmonirhat on November 19, according to the minister's remarks.
Dulu also urged officials of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief to work with greater commitment for public welfare. He called for changes in administrative attitudes and stressed the importance of creating a corruption-free environment to protect the ministry's reputation.
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