State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Mir Helal Uddin, has stated that the Chittagong Hill Tracts will be transformed into one of the world’s leading eco-tourism spots within the next five years. Simultaneously, integrated plans will be implemented for overall development, including health, education, potable water, roads, and social security.
He made these remarks on Saturday afternoon during an exchange of greetings with party leaders and activists at his residence in Chattogram city.
The state minister said, “The Chittagong Hill Tracts is a very important region, with many opportunities to work there. By taking everyone along, it will be possible to create a more prosperous Chittagong Hill Tracts,” he stated.
He added that the BNP’s 31-point agenda has been formulated in such a way that the country can be advanced by including everyone.
Regarding development plans, the state minister said, “In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, alongside eco-tourism, priority has been given to expanding medical services, increasing educational opportunities, arranging potable water, and infrastructure development.”
“CHT can be one of the foremost eco-tourism spots in the world,” he added.
The state minister informed that upon arriving in Chattogram, he held a meeting with the heads of 17 government departments in Hathazari upazila. He said that a short-term plan has been given to the concerned officials. Another meeting will be held next week to gather opinions on this matter.
He mentioned traffic jams, social security, and waterlogging in Hathazari as top priorities. He also stated that in the second phase, programmes have been undertaken to introduce health cards, tree planting, and digging and restoring canals.
Regarding the Family Card, the state minister said there is a plan to bring four crore families across the country under this benefit. There will be no discrimination based on party, religion, ethnicity, or class, he stated. He informed that work on preparing lists for four categories in Hathazari – the ultra-poor, poor, lower-middle class, and solvent – will begin.
Alleging that development did not occur in Hathazari over the past 17 years due to an “illegal MP”, the state minister said road development work from Fatahbad to Madarsha began on Friday. There is a plan to implement development work worth over Tk100 crore within the next 180 days.
Referring to himself as a political worker and an ordinary person, State Minister Mir Helal Uddin said, “I was an ordinary person before, and I am still the same. My scope of work has increased, but I was always among the people, and I will remain among the people.”
