Agargaon:Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring balanced development across all upazilas, irrespective of political affiliation or region. Speaking at a discussion meeting titled "Formulating Strategies for Installing Solar Power in Urban and Rural Areas through Cooperative Societies" at the Cooperative Bhaban, he highlighted the need for equal distribution of facilities among the 503 upazilas.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister noted that government officials are dedicated to serving the people and their work would be evaluated with adjustments to salaries and allowances based on the cost of living. While acknowledging limited resources, he assured phased implementation of development efforts over the coming years.
Dr Moyeen Khan stressed that the primary objective of public representatives and officials should be ensuring that ordinary people benefit from government activities. He emphasized the importance of implementing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's grassroots-focused development plans and expanding the use of renewable energy, particularly solar power, to improve living standards and reduce costs.
He also discussed strengthening institutional capacity in rural development and cooperatives, considering proposals like upgrading the Rural Development Board to a directorate. The effectiveness of the country's approximately 250,000 registered cooperative societies was highlighted as crucial, urging officials to simplify registration processes and promote collective initiatives for economic and social advancement.
State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, present as a special guest, expressed hope for solar power becoming a social movement and mentioned plans to install solar panels on rooftops of educational institutions and markets to alleviate electricity shortages. Tk 390 crore has already been allocated to local government institutions for this initiative.
The event, chaired by Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Dr Rafiqul I Mohamed, was attended by officials and employees from the ministry and its departments.