Budget meant for shoal dev unspent
UNB
Government allocated Tk 200 crore in the current financial year for the development of shoal (char) areas but 10 months down the line no money has been spent, reports UNB.
A char development activist claimed this yesterday adding that in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 fiscals as well some Tk 100 crore, meant for char development, remained unutilized. And there has been no such allocation in last financial year.
Jahid Rahman, member secretary of the National Char Alliance, a platform of at least 80 organisations who work for char area development, said these while addressing a dialogue at the National Press Club on Char Development Budget Allotment and the Necessity of a Special Government Body to Coordinate It organised by the alliance.
Noting that the total money remained unused due to not having any government authority and plan to spend it, the alliance members demanded the government to constitute a body for proper coordination of char development works.
Jahid Rahman presented a paper at the beginning of the dialogue. He said in Bangladesh at least 10 percent of total land is shoals where at least one crore people live and they have to suffer during natural calamities and lack primary healthcare and educational facilities.
Speaking at the programme as the chief guest the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Fazle Rabbi Miah, also supported the demand saying char people will be benefitted if a board is constituted.
Two parliament members, Tipu Sultan and Navana Aktar, also addressed, among others. Khondokar Ibrahim Khaled chaired the programme.
