Elections to five types of local government bodies -- city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads, district councils and union parishads--will be held within the current fiscal year, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said today.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting beautification work along the Dhaka-Aricha highway at Bhanga Bridge in Savar, he said around Tk 6,000 crore had been allocated for the elections and the Election Commission had been asked to begin preparations.
“Once the Election Commission's preparations are complete, the Finance Division, the Local Government Division and the Election Commission will hold a joint meeting to determine, which election will be held first and which one later. However, our aim is to complete the five types of local government elections within the current fiscal year,” he said.
On the Aminbazar beautification project, Alam said the area had been transformed from a long-standing rubbish dump following the prime minister's instructions. The project includes widening the roadside, planting trees, installing a retaining wall and netting to prevent further dumping.
He said the government was also considering renewable-energy-powered lighting in the area and urged residents to dispose of waste at designated points.
Speaking about the government's development activities, Alam added, “Over the past 20 years, nobody was concerned about these issues. Everyone's concern was mega projects and mega corruption. We are moving away from those and working.”
Dhaka District Commissioner Farida Khanom, Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Islam and other officials were present.
FP/R
