Dhaka: Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain today inaugurated 44 under-construction public libraries being implemented through Upazila Parishads. The inauguration took place during a ceremony held at the Cabinet Division’s meeting room in the Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Asif Mahmud emphasized that education and knowledge are the most valuable investments for building a developed society. In light of this, he mentioned a plan to establish a library in every upazila. The Local Government Division has allocated a total of Tk 23.32 crore for constructing the public libraries in 11 districts. Each library is being constructed at a cost of Taka 53 lakh.
Special attention has been given to every region, particularly North Bengal, where literacy rates are low and poverty rates are high. Emphasis has also been placed on the architectural design, atmosphere, and management of the libraries to attract students and foster a culture of learning.
Asif Mahmud thanked the concerned officials of the Local Government Division and the Local Government Engineering Department for undertaking the project and laying their foundation stone in a short time. In response to a question from journalists about the selection of upazilas for the libraries, he clarified that the process was not influenced by political bias or retaliation. Efforts have been made to ensure a balanced allocation of the budget, with special emphasis on addressing the needs of deprived areas.
Regarding the present situation of the South City Corporation, Asif Mahmud stated that the government has shown patience and sincerity concerning the closure of the Nagar Bhaban. He noted that services to the citizens declined by about 30 to 40 percent, and the interim government will make a collective decision in this regard.
The ceremony was chaired by Local Government Division Secretary Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, with the Chief Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department and senior officials of the Local Government Division present.