Opinion-exchange meeting held by Education and Commerce Advisor in Rangamati

Government undertakes initiatives for building infrastructure to bring CHT under sustainable development programme, says advisor Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman



On 2 May 2008 a view-exchange meeting was held by Education and Commerce Advisor of Caretaker Government Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman with public representatives including CHT Regional Council, Hill District Council and Union Council, traditional leaders, government officials, businessmen, civil society members including teachers and development activists at Tribal Cultural Institute (TCI) in Rangamati in Chiitagong Hill Tracts (CHT). Chairman of CHT Regional Council Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on CHT Affairs and Forest and Environment Raja Devasish Roy attended as special guests at the meeting presided over by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Md. Nurul Amin.

Among others, opening up border trading in CHT with Indian state of Mizoram, scarcity of capitals and loans for business, establishment of cold storage in Rangamati, inclusion of schools into monthly pay order (MPO), introduction of primary education through mother (indigenous) tongue, providing hill allowance to non-government teachers in CHT, opening honour course with more subjects in Rangamati Government College, relaxation of conditions in registering schools for CHT region considering geographical condition, providing speed boat for inspection of schools in Rangamati district etc were discussed in the meeting.

Commerce and Education Adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman said that the Caretaker Government has undertaken different development programmes for creating infrastructure to bring CHT under sustainable development programmes. He said that there were potentials for border trading at Sajek and Thega in Rangamati and Nakkyngchari in Bandarban districts. Commerce Ministry will take steps to construct roads in three border areas - one in Sazek union under Baghaichhari upazila, one at Thegamukh under Barkal upazila in Rangamati district and one in Nikkhyangchhari upazila in Bandarban district to start border trading with neighbouring countries. He added that necessary steps will be taken to help capitalisation by providing loans for setting up industry in CHT. He encouraged farmers to cultivate production of gingers saying that there was scope for more production of gingers in CHT.

He said that boarding schools will be launched in CHT to prevent dropout of children. He said declaring that a speedboat will be provided for the education officers in Rangamati so that they can regularly inspect all the schools and help maintain standard of teaching there. He added that opening up more honours course in Rangamati College, enactment of specific rules to easy recognition and registration of the schools, bank loans for businessmen, hill allowances for non-government teachers etc. will be taken consideration on priority basis.

Dr. Zillur urged the CHT leaders and representatives to visit Dhaka for discussion and address of these issues with him.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on CHT Affairs and Forest and Environment, also Circle Chief of traditional Chakma circle Raja Devasish Roy delivered welcome speech at the meeting. Among others, member of CHT Regional Council Mr. Goutam Kumar Chakma, member of the Rangamati Hill District Council Mr. Ratikanta Tanchangya, chairman of Rangamati municipality Mr. Habibur Rahman Habib, former district education officer Mr. Anjulika Khisa, headmistress of Rangamati Government High School Ms. Nirupa Dewan, principal of Rangamati Women College Ms. Banchita Chakma, members of advisory committee of CHT Affairs Ministry Mr. Molla Shahjahan, president of Rangamati chamber of commerce and industry Mr. Kazi Nazarul Islam, principals of Rangamati BM Academy, Karphuli College and Sijak College, representatives of Rangamati and Khagrachari Teachers' Association, representatives of CHT NGOs spoke at the view-exchange meeting.

Bandarban view-exchange meeting

Before attending the Rangamati meeting, advisor Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman and special assistant Raja Devasish Roy participated in the opinion-exchange meeting held in Bandarban district in which advisor for culture and women Ms. Rasheda K Chowdhury also attended. Among others, member of CHT Regional Council Mr. K S Mong, former Awami League MP Mr. Bir Bahadur, representatives of civil society and development workers spoke at the meeting presided over by Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban district Mr. Abdul Majid Shah Akond.

Rasheda K. Chawdhury said that the CHT as a backward region is being given priority in development intervention. She also said that primary education through indigenous mother tongue for the children of 11 indigenous ethnic groups will be introduced in CHT.

The opinion-exchange meeting was followed by cultural programme. The advisors visited Bandarban Women College and Faruk Para, a village of indigenous Bawm community.