The government is optimistic about forming a separate directorate for the overall development and welfare of ethnic minorities, BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Wednesday.
He made the remarks at an exchange meeting with the Bangladesh Nationalist Ethnic Minority Party held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. The meeting discussed development, education, employment, and political representation of ethnic minorities.
The Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijan Kanti Sarkar was also present.
Speaking as chief guest, the local government minister said ethnic minority communities have not only voted for BNP but also actively worked in its favour during elections. He thanked them for their support.
He said representation of ethnic minorities has already been ensured through reserved women’s seats, and efforts will be made to ensure their representation in the upper house of parliament in the future.
The minister further said long-term planning will increase opportunities for education, employment, and access to low-interest loans for children of ethnic minorities.
“The government will positively consider establishing a separate directorate to ensure their overall welfare,” he added.
Bijan Kanti Sarkar said there is no lack of government sincerity regarding ethnic minority development. He called on ethnic minority women to come forward in the nursing profession and expressed optimism about working on the issue.
The meeting discussed various problems of ethnic minorities, with participants highlighting their needs and expectations.
