AL desperate to thwart uplift programmes: Khaleda

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia waves at the people during a public meeting at Noakhali Zila School ground on Saturday. PHOTO: PID

"The country has got assurances of huge aid from donor agencies. If we can use the money properly, there will be massive development and employment opportunities in the country," she said while addressing a public meeting at Noakhali Zila School ground on Friday.

Khaleda said the flow of foreign aid came to a halt during the past regime as the donors had lost confidence. But the present government received assurances of huge development assistance, she added.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Unnerved at the on-going and future development programmes of the four-party alliance government, the opposition is trying to hinder the process through destructive activities, holding the people hostage, she said.

The prime minister said the AL is opposing the government only for the sake of opposition as it has actually no issue in hand.

She criticised the AL for not joining the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference even after all its demands were fulfilled.

Presided over by local MP Mohammad Shajahan, the meeting was also addressed by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed, State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Huq Milon, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman MP, Adviser to the Commerce Ministry Barkatullah Bulu, Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan MP, MA Hashem MP, and Zainal Abedin Faruq MP.

Earlier, the prime minister laid the foundation of Noakhali Science and Technology University at Shalyagatia, about seven km off the district headquarters. Work on the first phase of the project is expected to be completed within next two years.

The prime minister said the Awami League, while in power, did no development work for the country. "Rather, it indulged in plundering public money and harboured crimes."

She said the present government had inherited a shattered economy, perilous law and order, and social conditions.

She focussed on various development programmes of the government, particularly the programmes for female and primary education.

Dwelling on the efforts to curb cheating in public examinations, the prime minister sought cooperation from all to put an end to copying in examinations.

She pointed out irregularities in distribution of stipends among the primary school students.

Some students do not come to school regularly but draw the stipend, she said and urged the guardians to send their kids to schools regularly and enjoy the facilities offered by her government.

Responding to some demands of the local people, the prime minister pledged that steps will be taken to set up and construct new educational institutions, and repair school buildings, roads and a hostel at the local women's college.

A technical training centre will also be established here, she added.

Besides, she said, measures will be taken to resolve water logging problem, increase electricity supply and ensure development of telecommunications.