Dhaka: State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mir Shahe Alam, today directed officials to present the achievements and public welfare initiatives of the government's first 180 days in a factual, concise, and objective manner to the people. 'Transparency and accountability are essential to building public confidence,' he stated during a review meeting at the Secretariat on the implementation of the ministry's 180-day action plan.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister emphasized the importance of every department and agency clearly communicating their contributions towards fulfilling the government's election commitments. He instructed organizations under the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division to prepare evidence-based reports highlighting measurable achievements, including tree plantation and environmental protection, employment generation, women's empowerment, agricultural development, implementation of new projects, loan disbursement, expansion of cooperative membership, beneficiary coverage, training programmes, and public awareness campaigns.
Mir Shahe Alam further called for enhanced coordination with NGOs, voluntary organisations, and community-based institutions to ensure faster and more effective delivery of development benefits to the grassroots. He stressed the importance of developing a skilled workforce by expanding demand-driven technical training, third-language education, and skill development programmes to increase overseas employment opportunities. Additionally, he urged authorities to create self-employment opportunities for imams, muezzins, and other religious institution personnel through appropriate vocational training.
To ensure government services reach intended beneficiaries, the state minister announced plans to conduct a nationwide survey under the government's long-term development and service delivery strategy. This survey will collect comprehensive demographic and socio-economic data to support evidence-based policymaking and targeted public service delivery.
Earlier, officials from departments and organizations under the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division presented progress reports on the implementation of their respective 180-day action plans, outlining achievements, ongoing challenges, and future priorities. The meeting was chaired by Rural Development and Cooperatives Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury, with senior officials, including heads of the Department of Cooperatives, Bangladesh Rural Development Academy (BARD), Rural Development Academy (RDA), Small Farmers Development Foundation, Bangladesh Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited, the Rural Poverty Alleviation Foundation, and other agencies under the division in attendance.