PM assures socioeconomic uplift of CHT region

Assuring whatever necessary for socio-economic development of the CHT region, Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina directed on Thursday all concerned to give special attention so that good air of peace (shantir shubatash) prevails there and people get its benefit alongside ensuring their socio-economic development, report agencies.
"For about two decades, people of that region have suffered… it's enough. Since we've struck the CHT Peace Accord, now all (concerned) would have to give special attention so that good air of peace prevails there and people get its benefit… ensure their overall socio-economic development," she added.
In this connection, Hasina asked the Ministry of CHT Affairs to come up promptly with development projects to ensure socio-economic development of this region since the aim of her government is to ensure overall development of the CHT region.
The PM's directives came during her introductory speech before the high officials of the Ministry of CHT Affairs and its various bodies at the Ministry conference room in the secretariat.
State Minister for CHT Affairs Bir Bahadur and Secretary Nabo Bikram Kishore Tripura also spoke on the occasion.
"Bangladesh is also the home of those hilly people who live in the CHT region… their rights on land should be ensured since they are the citizens of the country and it's the reality," she said, hoping that the Ministry of CHT Affairs would take proper steps to this end.
She directed the authorities concerned for expediting the work for setting up a university in the CHT region.
The PM said that although there are some problems with regard the law on land, positive discussion was going on, and it is hoped an understanding would be reached soon.
Terming the dispute on ownership of land as the root cause of the CHT problem, the Prime Minister said the government has taken initiative for resolving the problem. "The new chairman of the CHT land commission has already been appointed and the full commission will be constituted very soon," she said hoping that everybody would extend support to resolve the problem.
Urging all to remain alert so that no outsider could interfere in the affairs of CHT, she said: "We'll have to ensure rights of every citizen upholding the country's independence and sovereignty,"
"It's unfortunate that whenever we achieve something, many come forward to show their concerns. They (hilly people) are the citizens of the country and who else could look after their wellbeing except us?"
Hasina said some 48 out of the 78 clauses in the CHT Peace Accord have been implemented fully, some 15 clauses implemented partly while implementation of nine clauses was ongoing.
She said a monitoring cell has been established to look into the implementation of the Peace Accord. Whatever of the accord is found unfulfilled yet will be implemented soon for ensuring a permanent system of peace in the CHT region.
Highlighting various initiatives of her government for the welfare of the CHT people as well as ensuring socio-economic development of the region, the PM said a law has been framed amending the CHT Development Board Ordinance of 1973 to expedite development in the region.
As a result, she said, the financial capacity for undertaking project by the Board has been raised to Tk 20 million from TK 2.5 million.
In this connection, she said initiative has been taken to raise the ceiling so that every Ministry could spend more fund.
Hasina said that in her previous term, the honorarium of the Circle Chief (King) has been raised to Tk 10,000 from Tk 5,000, while that of headman to Tk 1,000 from Tk 300 and that of Karbari to Tk 500 from Tk 200.
Mentioning that some 1246 projects have so far been implemented in the CHT region in various sectors including agriculture, religion, education, communications, infrastructure, health, sports and culture, Hasina directed the CHT Affairs Ministry to further expedite its development projects.