Cox’s Bazar Correspondent:
Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarek Rahman has announced to upgrade the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway to 6 lanes to fulfill the long-standing demands of the people of Cox’s Bazar. At the same time, he assured to ensure the minimum price of 15 rupees per kg of salt to protect the interests of salt farmers. Besides, the Prime Minister also announced that all upazila health complexes of the country will be upgraded to 100 beds in phases.
He made these announcements in his speech as the chief guest at a large public meeting organized by the upazila and municipal BNP at Chakaria Municipal Bus Terminal area of Cox’s Bazar on Saturday (June 13) at 7:30 pm.
The Prime Minister said that the road that I saw in Cox’s Bazar 25 years ago, has not yet seen the desired development. Cox’s Bazar is one of the most important tourist regions of the country. Besides, the modernization of the communication system of this region is very important centered on the Maheshkhali deep sea port. Therefore, an initiative will be taken to upgrade the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway to 6 lanes soon.
Bringing up the topic of salt industry, he said that the government will take effective steps to ensure the fair rights of salt farmers. So that they get a minimum price of 15 rupees per kg of salt, that system will be ensured.
Regarding the budget, the Prime Minister said that the new budget will create massive employment opportunities for the unemployed population of the country. He said that those who are opposing this budget are mainly opposing employment.
Addressing the critics of the increase in taxes on cigarettes and drugs, he said, if the politics of people’s welfare is done, no one can oppose such a decision.
Tariq Rahman also said that 42 lakh families will be given family cards and 40 lakh farmers will be given agricultural cards within the next one year. He said, these activities are part of my ‘I have a plan’ action plan.
Chakaria Upazila BNP President Enamul Haque presided over the public meeting as the main speaker, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. He said, upgrading the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway to 6 lanes was one of BNP’s election promises. He thanked the Prime Minister for taking the initiative to ensure the fair price of salt farmers.
Cox’s Bazar District BNP General Secretary Advocate Shamim Ara Sapna MP also addressed the meeting. A large number of ordinary people including members of the cabinet, members of parliament, leaders and workers of BNP and affiliated organizations were present.
Earlier on the same day, Prime Minister inaugurated the canal re-excavation program in PMkhali area of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila. Later Chakaria visited the Dulahajara Safari Park, inaugurated the plantation in Malumghat area as part of the 25 crore tree plantation program across the country and laid the foundation stone of the newly formed Matamuhuri Upazila and Thana.
Besides, the Prime Minister visited the grave of Wasim Akram, the 2nd martyr of the anti-discrimination movement and laid the foundation stone of the newly announced Pekua Upazila, and handed over a donation of Tk 20 lakh to his family.