Dhaka: State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam announced the government’s commitment to implementing its election manifesto, emphasizing that efforts have already begun at the field level. He assured that all pledges will be fulfilled within the next four years. Alam made these remarks during a citizens’ dialogue titled ‘People’s Mandate: Citizen Dialogue on Manifesto to Action,’ held at the Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.
According to United News of Bangladesh, during the dialogue’s second session, discussions focused on ‘Challenges and Prospects of Manifesto Implementation: Urban Development and Climate Resilience.’ The state minister highlighted that within the first three months of taking office, the government initiated several welfare-oriented activities. One of the manifesto’s key agendas, the Family Card programme, aims to empower women economically and has started distribution at the grassroots level.
Furthermore, Shahe Alam mentioned ongoing efforts to excavate canals nationwide to enhance the rural economy. He asserted that promises made in the BNP election manifesto are being implemented fully. Addressing administrative and development challenges in the capital, he clarified that not all responsibilities fall solely under local government jurisdiction, advocating for expanded powers of local institutions to boost civic services.
Alam stressed the importance of transitioning from conventional systems to modern city governance. He announced that every household must now install its own septic tank to prevent pollution in urban water bodies, following finalized discussions with the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha. Additionally, bilateral discussions with China are underway to modernize Dhaka’s waste management system, aiming to overcome previous project limitations.
The dialogue was jointly organised by APE, Sachetan Foundation, BRAC C3ER, and several environmental organizations.