Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Shahidul Islam announced on Wednesday that approximately 50 per cent of the canal excavation programme in Rajshahi district has been completed.
“The current progress of the canal excavation activities in the district stands at 48.37 per cent, meaning we have achieved nearly 50 per cent of the target,” the DC said addressing a press briefing held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room.
The District Administration and the District Information Office jointly organised the briefing to inform media about the publicity activities regarding the implementation of the current government’s election manifesto.
Sports and youth development
Highlighting government initiatives for the development of sports, the deputy commissioner informed that special cards have been provided to six athletes from Rajshahi who have achieved success at the international level.
Under this scheme, each athlete will receive monthly assistance of Tk100,000.
The district-level “Notun Kuri” competitions have already been concluded, and the divisional-level phase is scheduled to commence on 17 May. The competition features eight events, including football, cricket, chess, kabaddi, athletics, badminton, martial arts, and swimming.
Afforestation and environment
Regarding the afforestation programme, the DC noted a national plan to plant 250 million trees across the country over the next five years. As part of this initiative, gardens will be created across approximately 10,000 kilometres in Rajshahi this June, with 1,000 trees to be planted per kilometre.
Additionally, a target has been set to plant a total of 93,200 trees in the district between 2026 and 2031. A total of 8,900 ornamental trees will also be distributed free of charge.
Addressing support for the farming community, the Deputy Commissioner stated that applications for the waiver of agricultural loans for 113 farmers in Rajshahi have been forwarded to Bangladesh Bank. The loans will be waived once the necessary processes are completed.
The briefing was presided over by District Information Office Director Nafeyala Nasrin.
Special guests in attendance included Civil Surgeon Dr SIM Rajiul Karim, Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Sabur Ali, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Mohammad Nasir Uddin, and Executive Engineer of LGED Md Zahurul Islam.
Other senior officials present were Md Mostafizur Rahman, Executive Engineer of BMDA; Dr Md Jahangir Alam, divisional forest officer of the Social Forest Division; Monira Khatun, deputy director of the District Social Services Office; and Md Abdul Hai Sarker, district relief and rehabilitation officer.
