Special budgetary allocation for Khulna dev demanded

KHULNA, Jun 22 (UNB): Residents of greater Khulna staged Sunday demonstration in the city demanding a specific allocation in the national budget for fiscal year 2014-15 for the development of the region.

Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee staged a sit-in programme in the city's Picture Palace intersection Circle for two and a half hours from 10:00 am. People from all strata of life took part in the programme braving heavy downpour.

Speaking on the occasion, the committee leaders said Khulna region is being deprived of development and it is still uncertain when the region will get rid of the deprivation.

They urged the government to take immediate steps to construct a modern railway station in Khulna, set up Khulna-Iswardi double line rail tracks and gas pipeline to supply gas in the region and develop infrastructure of Mongla seaport.

The speakers also demanded giving allocation to set up an airport, a cadet college and a marine academy in Khulna, modernising Khulna Shilpakala Academy, the district stadium and Bhomra land port and resuming paper mills.

Committee president Sheikh Ashraf Uz Zaman, its leaders Sheikh Mosharraf Hossain, Sheikh Abdul Quiyum, Jatiya Party leader SM Manjur-ul-Alam and CPB leader Mizanur Rahman Babu, among others, spoke on the occasion.