PM Tarique Rahman Opens DC Conference: 498 Proposals on the Table

The first District Commissioner (DC) conference under the BNP-led government began on Sunday (May 3) in Dhaka. The Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, inaugurated the event at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium after 10:30 am.

A total of 498 proposals are set for discussion during the conference, selected from 1,729 submissions. These proposals focus on development priorities and administrative reforms.

Senior policymakers are using the conference to outline the government’s policy direction to field-level administrators. District Commissioners and divisional commissioners will take part in 30 sessions with representatives from 56 ministries and departments.

They will also attend separate sessions with key constitutional figures. The DCs are scheduled to meet President Md. Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Sunday evening. Meetings with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Chief Justice Zubair Rahman Chowdhury will follow on May 4 and May 5.

At a press briefing on Saturday, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani said the conference aims to strengthen coordination between the government and field administration. He emphasized accountability and the government’s commitment to implementing its election manifesto.

To improve engagement, the conference duration has been extended by one day this year.

The government has also reduced spending as part of austerity measures. Last year’s allocation was Tk 1.73 crore, with Tk 1.2 crore spent. This year’s budget is set at Tk 7.1 lakh, covering only essential expenses.

According to Additional Secretary Md. Humayun Kabir, 50 key proposals were highlighted, with the highest number—44—related to healthcare.

Major proposals include

• Establishing an economic zone in Gazipur
• Repairing and upgrading union sub-health centres
• Ensuring adequate medical staff and medicine supply
• Building scientific treatment systems for medical waste
• Formulating policies for Qawmi madrasas
• Constructing an international-standard airport in Noakhali
• Providing low-interest loans for farmers and entrepreneurs
• Creating alternative income sources for fishermen during Hilsa protection periods
• Establishing permanent fish sanctuaries in haor areas

Other priority areas include land management, law and order, local government strengthening, job creation, social safety programmes, and ICT use.

Last year’s conference adopted around 400 decisions. Of those, 61% of short-term, 35% of medium-term, and 16% of long-term measures have been implemented.