Ministry of Public Works is taking housing project for low income people



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has taken the initiative to take up housing projects for the low-income people, especially the slum dwellers, in various cities across the country, including the capital Dhaka.

For this purpose, a meeting was held on Monday (May 13) in the conference room of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works under the chairmanship of Public Works Minister R, A, M Ubaidul Moktadir Chowdhury. Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works at the meeting Nabirul Islam, Additional Secretary, Chairman of National Housing Authority Mostafizur Rahman, Chairman of RAJUK Major General (retd) Siddiqur Rahman and senior officials of the Ministry and various departments/organizations under it were present.

In accordance with the instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Minister of Public Works directed to prepare the necessary project proposal for the construction of rental-based flats for low-income people and send it to the ministry as soon as possible. In implementing the project, he suggested environmental protection, necessary forestation, preservation of open space, setting up of playgrounds, sewage treatment plants, maximum use of solar energy, use of eco-friendly block bricks instead of terracotta bricks, provision of rainwater harvesting, maximum use of surface water.

Initially, he directed to implement the proposal under the National Housing Authority to construct 12600 flats in 100 multi-storied buildings in three phases in Dattapara of Tongi at the earliest. Feasibility study of this project has already been completed. In the first phase of the project, 2 thousand 142 residential flats will be constructed in 17 15-storey buildings. The proposal for construction of 5922 flats in 47 buildings in the 2nd phase and 5436 flats in 36 buildings in the third phase is under process.

The Minister directed the RAJUK and Public Works Department to take up projects for construction of flats for low-income people in Karail slums and T&T Colony slums of the capital through separate projects. He gave verbal instructions to the chief architect to take necessary measures to prepare a uniform design for these flats of 750 square feet gross area.

In addition to the capital Dhaka, such projects will be taken up in phases in other cities of the country as per the requirement.

Note that 10 acres of land has been earmarked for the housing of low-income people in the Uttara Housing Project (third phase) under implementation by the RAJUK. The minister directed to prepare project proposals for the construction of flats for the housing of low-income people on the said land as soon as possible. He said that in addition to own financing for the implementation of the project, financing from various development aid organizations will also be accepted if possible.

Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority of Mirpur in the capital has constructed 533 rent-based flats for the slum dwellers. They are living comfortably in these flats. Apart from this, the landless slum dwellers affected by the river erosion of the districts have been rehabilitated through the project titled "Improved Living System of Low Income People" of the National Housing Authority in Kobdas Para of Sirajganj. The minister suggested using the experience of these projects in taking up the next project. Along with that, he suggested positive publicity about these philanthropic activities of the government. 

Three doctors are absent for a long time causing sufferings to the patients



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

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The government has taken various initiatives to ensure the presence of doctors and officials in government hospitals. However, a different picture is seen in Barishal's 50- bed Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex. Three doctors of the hospital have been absent for a long time. As a result, patients have to suffer due to lack of proper healthcare.

Allegedly, medical services at the hospital have come to a standstill due to lack of strict supervision. Therefore, many patients are forced to seek treatment in private hospitals.

According to hospital sources, Dr. Abu Bakar Siddique joined Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex as Medical Officer on July 1, 2011. He has been absent since January 4, 2012 after staying at the hospital for just five months. Similarly, Dr. Soma Halder joined the health complex on October 8, 2014. She has also been absent since November 5, 2015, after serving for one year.

Sources also said that Dr. Shahana Rahman joined the hospital on November 25, 2023. She has not been coming to the hospital for the past 8 months.

Although the three mentioned doctors are absent for a long time, no appointments are being made in their place. As a result, patient services are constantly disrupted. Besides, the hospital authorities are also in trouble.

A responsible source of the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said that this alarming situation has arisen due to the non-punishment of those who are negligent in fulfilling their duties. Also there is a lack of strong supervision.

Upazila Health Officer Dr. Bakhtiar Al Mamun said that Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq and Dr. Soma Halder have been given letters to join the workplace several times. But they are still not back to work. A departmental case is ongoing against them. In addition, Dr. Shahana Rahman has been given several letters to join the work. The Civil Surgeon's office has also been informed about the matter.

He also said that the information of doctors is sent to higher authorities and ministries every month. As such, the ministry is aware of the matter. According to the latest information, one doctor may be out of a job. Of the remaining two, one is abroad, the other I don't know where. Regarding the appointment of doctors, he said, appointment is not possible until the posts are vacant. As a result, it will take time to find a new doctor.

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Three coordinators in DB for interrogation



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken three people, including Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, into custody from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital. The other two coordinators are Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker Majumdar.

A DB source confirmed this information on Friday (July 26) night.

DB said three coordinators have been brought to the DB office for security and interrogation purposes.

All three of them are students of Dhaka University.

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What the Home Minister said about lifting of the curfew



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, everyone has to wait a little with the curfew till public life becomes normal. We are looking at whether the curfew can be relaxed.

He said these things while talking to reporters about the ongoing situation on Friday (July 26) night.

The Home Minister said, we are seeing if the curfew can be relaxed. Police BGB, Army are working. We have to wait a little until public life becomes normal. People should be patient. He also said that a decision may be made subject to discussion on Saturday (July 27).

At that time, he mentioned that there were brutal killings in the name of the movement, and he said, who will take responsibility for this loss of the country? BNP said they are not involved in violence. So who did it? It is a question of the people.

Regarding the arrest of the quota activists, the Home Minister said that the quota agitator leaders themselves are suffering from insecurity. For their safety, law enforcement has been called. Further action will be taken after the inquiry.

Incidentally, the government clamped a curfew from 12 midnight on July 19 to keep the situation normal around the quota reform movement. The army was also deployed.

The curfew was later relaxed for a specified period but has not yet been lifted completely.

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Government to provide treatment & income to all injured: Prime Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government will provide treatment and income to all those injured in the recent violence, regardless of party affiliation.

She said this while visiting the injured at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday (July 26). Meanwhile, she inquired about the physical condition of the injured.

Sheikh Hasina said that the government will do whatever is necessary for the treatment of those injured in the violence. The government will take responsibility for the treatment of the injured, whichever party they belong to.

She also said, even after accepting all the demands on the quota, why is the movement not ending? Everyone at home and abroad should be vocal against the violence and brutality of BNP-Jamaat.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister visited several wards of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and inquired about the injured. She talked to doctors and nurses. She ordered to give all kinds of treatment to the injured.

Earlier in the morning, the head of government visited the Bangladesh Television (BTV) building damaged by vandals' attack and fire at Rampura in the capital.

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