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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs part of the implementation of the BNP government\u2019s election pledges, Tarique Rahman said, the canal excavation programme was formally launched across the country today from Sahapara in Kaharole upazila in the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor many years, our rivers, canals and waterways have been filled up. As a result, there is a water crisis during the dry season, and when water suddenly comes during the monsoon season, it damages nearby crops and homes,\u201d the premier said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, he said, the government has taken a plan to excavate around 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years and expressed hope that this initiative would facilitate irrigation for agriculture and reduce dependence on groundwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expressing concern over the excessive use of groundwater, the Prime Minister said, \u201cPreviously water could be found at a depth of around 100 to 150 feet, but now in many cases it requires going down 600 to 700 feet\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf water can be retained through excavation of canals and rivers, groundwater will gradually recharge and the arsenic problem will also begin to decline,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Highlighting the government\u2019s initiative to empower women economically, Tarique Rahman said the government has undertaken a programme to provide \u2018Family Card\u2019 to four crore families led by women across Bangladesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHalf of Bangladesh\u2019s population is women. We cannot move this country forward by leaving women behind,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noting that the pilot project for the \u2018Family Card\u2019 programme has already begun and is being implemented experimentally in 15 areas across the country, including Dinajpur-6 constituency, the premier said that after the completion of the pilot scheme, the programme will gradually be expanded nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tarique Rahman said that his government also introduced an honorarium for religious leaders as per his party\u2019s election pledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe said before the election that we would arrange an honorarium for those who serve as imams, muezzins and khatibs in mosques, as well as religious leaders of other faiths,\u201d he said, \u201cAlhamdulillah, a few days ago we started that programme as well\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reaffirming his government\u2019s commitment to national development, the Prime Minister said the administration would work with full dedication to build the country people aspire to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People from various professions and social groups of Dinajpur district attended the civic gathering and iftar event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LGRD and Cooperative Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, local lawmaker Syed Jahangir Alam, District Bar Association President Abdul Halim, Dinajpur Chamber and Commerce President Abu Bakar Siddiq, district Jamiat-e-Islami President Matiur Rahman Kashemi and Deputy Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam spoke at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dinajpur district BNP President Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal presided over the function while General Secretary Bakhtiar Ahmed Kachi conducted it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, Prime Minister opened the excavation of 53 canals across the country by initiating the excavation of the 12-kilometer Sahapara Canal in the Balrampur area of Kaharole upazila in the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He formally launched the initiative by cutting soil with a spade at 12:27 pm. Later, he planted a sapling of a tree on the bank of the Sahapara Canal. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government will take initiatives to establish agro-processing industries in the Dinajpur region to utilize its agricultural potential, strengthen the local economy and create employment opportunities. \u201cIf agricultural products can be preserved and processed properly, the local economy will become stronger and employment opportunities will also increase,\u201d he said. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":33034,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,93],"tags":[45],"class_list":["post-33033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-nationwide","tag-45"],"yoast_head":"\n