Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon yesterday expected increase in the budgetary allocation for his ministry in the future, reports BSS. "I get an opportunity of developing a welfare-oriented society as I have got the charge of Social Welfare Ministry. I hope the fiscal allocation for the ministry will increase further in the future than in the past," the minister told journalists after taking the charge of Social Welfare Ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the city. It is the state's responsibility to take forward the society's backward section of the people, Menon said, adding, "Our responsibility is to work for the people. There are more scopes in the Social Welfare Ministry to work with the common people".

State Minister of the ministry Nuruzzaman Ahmed, Secretary Md Zillar Rahman and senior officials of the ministry were present on the occasion, among others.

At another programme in the day, Menon said his party would take part in the next general elections with Awami League-led 14-party alliance.

"The next parliamentary polls will be different and difficult as all political parties including BNP are likely to join it," he said while addressing a press conference at National Press Club.

He came up with the remarks two days after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said her party would contestin the polls but the election must be held under an interim non-partisan administration.

The Workers Party of Bangladesh organised the press conference. Menon said it would be suicidal if any party in the AL-led 14-party grand alliance takes go alone policy regarding the next election.

"All should be united in the next parliamentary polls for keeping the trend of non-communalism, democracy and development uninterrupted and that's why we will participate in the polls under the grand alliance."