Elect honest, competent candidates in next polls, CA urges people
Monday, 21 July 2008
SRIMONGAL (Moulvibazar), July 20 (BSS): Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed Sunday called upon all to cast their votes in favour of honest and competent candidates in the upcoming elections for the sake of democracy.
"Exercise your right to franchise as a responsible citizen by casting votes in favour of honest and capable candidates who will be able to contribute to further flourishing democracy in the next local and general polls by applying their knowledge and wisdom," he said.
The CA said this while addressing a dialogue titled, "National Dialogue at Local level for Transition to Democracy", at PDU auditorium of Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) here. District administration organised the dialogue.
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury moderated the function that was also attended by LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal, Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff and Communications Adviser Maj Gen (rtd) Ghulam Quader.
Secretary to the CA's office Kazi M Aminul Islam and Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim and high civil and military officials were present.
Farmers, tea garden workers, freedom fighters, teachers, imams, people's representatives, NGO workers, women, small entrepreneurs and lawyers took part in the open discussion.
Deputy Commissioner of Moulvi Bazar district Alkama Siddique gave address of welcome.
Quoting the Election Commission (EC), Fakhruddin said, preparations of holding the next general election in the third week of December this year is in the final stage. He said, the EC has already implemented the huge task of preparation of voter lists with photographs.
The CA said, election is one of the pre-requisites of democracy, but not the only pre-requisite. In this context, he called upon all concerned to work unitedly for bringing qualitative changes in democracy.
Fakhruddin expressed the hope that the next elected government would be pro-reform and democratic. He was optimistic about the continuation of reforms undertaken by the present caretaker government in future for the welfare of the nation.
Referring to bringing amendments to the constitution, he said, the next elected government will do the job.
Referring to the price hike of essentials, Fakhruddin said, it is an undeniable fact that sufferings of people have been increased following price spiral of essential commodities.
In this connection, he said, there is no alternative to boosting agricultural production for checking the price hike of essentials. He expressed the hope that the farmers and other stakeholders will come forward to boost production this year that they had done during winter season last year.
The CA during the two-hour long dialogue answered to various questions raised by grassroots people and professionals.
The demands included development in the haor areas, taking steps to use the knowledge of expatriate Bangladeshis for the welfare of the country, setting up government primary schools in the tea garden areas, expansion of Srimongal municipality area and arranging district council elections.
Answering to these questions, he assured them that the government would take appropriate measurers following examining these demands.
About tea production, he said, steps would be taken to impart training to the tea garden workers and ensuring balanced distribution of fertilisers to boost tea production. The CA also attached importance on fixing minimum wages for the tea garden workers to this end.
Responding to a local demand, the CA instantly directed the district administration to take immediate measurers for construction of the local library building. He assured the local people for setting up a Labour Court here.
Fakhruddin said, the expatriate Bangladeshis can contribute to the development endeavours of the government in the current changing perspective. He also directed the ministries concerned to take appropriate steps for the expansion of Srimongal Municipality area.
Later, the CA flew into Sylhet where he offered munjat at the Mazar of Hazrat Shah Jalal
"Exercise your right to franchise as a responsible citizen by casting votes in favour of honest and capable candidates who will be able to contribute to further flourishing democracy in the next local and general polls by applying their knowledge and wisdom," he said.
The CA said this while addressing a dialogue titled, "National Dialogue at Local level for Transition to Democracy", at PDU auditorium of Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) here. District administration organised the dialogue.
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury moderated the function that was also attended by LGRD Adviser Mohammad Anwarul Iqbal, Law Adviser AF Hassan Ariff and Communications Adviser Maj Gen (rtd) Ghulam Quader.
Secretary to the CA's office Kazi M Aminul Islam and Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim and high civil and military officials were present.
Farmers, tea garden workers, freedom fighters, teachers, imams, people's representatives, NGO workers, women, small entrepreneurs and lawyers took part in the open discussion.
Deputy Commissioner of Moulvi Bazar district Alkama Siddique gave address of welcome.
Quoting the Election Commission (EC), Fakhruddin said, preparations of holding the next general election in the third week of December this year is in the final stage. He said, the EC has already implemented the huge task of preparation of voter lists with photographs.
The CA said, election is one of the pre-requisites of democracy, but not the only pre-requisite. In this context, he called upon all concerned to work unitedly for bringing qualitative changes in democracy.
Fakhruddin expressed the hope that the next elected government would be pro-reform and democratic. He was optimistic about the continuation of reforms undertaken by the present caretaker government in future for the welfare of the nation.
Referring to bringing amendments to the constitution, he said, the next elected government will do the job.
Referring to the price hike of essentials, Fakhruddin said, it is an undeniable fact that sufferings of people have been increased following price spiral of essential commodities.
In this connection, he said, there is no alternative to boosting agricultural production for checking the price hike of essentials. He expressed the hope that the farmers and other stakeholders will come forward to boost production this year that they had done during winter season last year.
The CA during the two-hour long dialogue answered to various questions raised by grassroots people and professionals.
The demands included development in the haor areas, taking steps to use the knowledge of expatriate Bangladeshis for the welfare of the country, setting up government primary schools in the tea garden areas, expansion of Srimongal municipality area and arranging district council elections.
Answering to these questions, he assured them that the government would take appropriate measurers following examining these demands.
About tea production, he said, steps would be taken to impart training to the tea garden workers and ensuring balanced distribution of fertilisers to boost tea production. The CA also attached importance on fixing minimum wages for the tea garden workers to this end.
Responding to a local demand, the CA instantly directed the district administration to take immediate measurers for construction of the local library building. He assured the local people for setting up a Labour Court here.
Fakhruddin said, the expatriate Bangladeshis can contribute to the development endeavours of the government in the current changing perspective. He also directed the ministries concerned to take appropriate steps for the expansion of Srimongal Municipality area.
Later, the CA flew into Sylhet where he offered munjat at the Mazar of Hazrat Shah Jalal