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The government has assigned 30 ministers, state ministers and parliamentary whips to oversee and coordinate government activities across all 64 districts, including maintaining law and order, combating corruption and drug abuse, and ensuring good governance.
The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification on Thursday, signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, outlining the responsibilities. The assignments have taken immediate effect.
According to the notification, the government is concerned about allegations of widespread corruption and embezzlement of development funds in various districts during the previous government.
It said some of the allegedly misappropriated money was siphoned abroad, while part of it was used in drug-related activities and other actions posing threats to social and public security.
Under the new arrangement, the ministers, state ministers and whips will monitor and coordinate efforts to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability, as well as oversee development and public welfare programmes.
They will also provide necessary advice to government agencies on preventing drug abuse and trafficking, curbing smuggling and combating serious crimes.
They will monitor the implementation of the government’s election manifesto, poverty reduction and employment-generation initiatives, as well as social safety-net programmes.
The assigned officials may also attend meetings in their respective districts and provide recommendations when necessary.
Their responsibilities, however, will not affect the legal powers of local government bodies or other constitutional and statutory institutions.
The notification listed specific districts under each of the 30 officials. For example, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud was assigned Rajshahi and Natore, while Dr Abu Zafar Mohammad Zahid Hossain was given responsibility for Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Panchagarh. Dhaka was assigned to Sultan Ahmed Tuku, while Chattogram was assigned to Mohammad Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie.
The government said the new arrangement is aimed at strengthening oversight, coordination, accountability and effective implementation of government programmes at the district level.