Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the Awami League (AL) government has turned villages into town by reaching all urban facilities at the grassroots.
"Under the dynamic leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, urban facilities have been made available at villages across the country by transforming those into towns," he said.
Dr Hasan, also ruling AL joint general secretary, said this while virtually addressing a meeting with the dwellers of Rangunia Paurshava at the Paurshava office premises in the district.
Highlighting the AL government's development activities, especially improving the communication system up to village level, he said BNP even does not have the ability to fill the pothole of a road.
Terming the BNP leaders as vote looters, the AL leader said, "But when the vote comes, BNP leaders, wearing beautiful clothes, come and tell voters about many things regarding development. I would like to request the people to remain aware of these seasonal vote looters".
Since the country has already been transformed into digital one, Dr Hasan said, "One now can see and talk through video calls from any part of the world, thanks to the Vision-2021 envisaged by Bangabandhu's able daughter Sheikh Hasina".
Every house across the country is now equipped with television and fridge while many of them have air conditioners (ACs), he said, adding that it could have not been imagined just 14 years ago.
"Previously, only a handful of people had electricity in their households. But due to Sheikh Hasina's utmost efforts electricity facility has reached every houses across the country, changing the image of Bangladesh," the minister added.
Rangunia Municipality Mayor Md Shahjahan Sikdar presided over the meeting while Upazila Parishad Chairman Swajan Kumar Talukder, North District Awami League Organizing Secretary Nazrul Islam Talukder, its Member Idrich Azgar, Upazila AL General Secretary Engineer Shamsul Alam Talukder, North District Krishok League President Shafiqul Islam, AL leaders Aktar Hossain Khan, Iqbal Hossain and Journalist Jigarul Islam Jigar, among others, spoke at the event.
Noting that currently AL government is giving 22 types of allowances to mass people across the country, Dr Hashan said rice is being given free of cost through VGD and VGF cards, five crore people are being given essential commodities at subsidized price through one crore family cards, 50 lakh people are being given essential commodities through OMS cards and rice is being given during Eid and Puja festivals also free of cost.
Textbooks have been given to students free of cost on the first day of every year, he added.
"Free vaccine was given during Covid-19 pandemic and 30 types of medicines have been given free through the community clinics," the minister said.
Though Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Ershad and caretaker government were in the state power in the past, he said, such allowances and aids were never given before, but the government of "Boat symbol" has done these.
Pointing that BNP leaders were not available during various calamities including Corona, Dr Hasan said the AL government and its leaders and activists always stand by the people.
The people of Rangunia constituency were deceived by various promises made in previous times, he said, adding, "Allocations were cut from Rangunia and given to other places. And now I have ensured due share of allocations for Rangunia's development. The overall scenario of Rangunia has been changed due to development activities. I have devoted myself to serving you for the last 14 years. My door is open for all," he added.
The minister hoped that the people of Rangunia will keep their doors open too for him in the upcoming elections.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha