Admin infrastructure still absent, services poor

The then prime minister Khaleda Zia on January 1, 1993 formally declared Barisal a division comprising six districts.

But offices of many vital departments are yet to be set up, affecting the administration, official sources said.

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So far, offices of the divisional commissioner, D I G of police, deputy director of fisheries, Barisal educational board, a few departments, special tribunal and speedy trial tribunal have been accommodated in the newly constructed divisional headquarter.

Five other offices are now housed at the technical training center complex.

Divisional offices for telecommunication, P W D, registrar for joint stock companies, labor court and some other important departments are yet to be set up.

A Tk six crore project was taken up in fiscal 1994-95 for construction of the Barisal divisional headquarter complex but no money was allocated that year.

In fiscal 1996-97, Tk two crore was sanctioned and the first phase of construction of the headquarters complex was completed in 2000.

People of Barisal division have to go Khulna for official work.

Talking to this correspondent, many city dwellers said leaders of Awami League and BNP at public meetings before general elections pledged development of the region but forgot their promise once in power.

Leaders of the present government at different public meetings told the people that a tourist motel of Parjatan Corporation, a museum, a zoo and a botanical garden would be set up in Barisal, but nothing has been done so far, they said.

A university in Barisal is still a dream of the people.

Barisal municipality was upgraded to a city corporation in 2001 and the first election of Barisal City Corporation was held last year in which a leader of ruling BNP was elected mayor.

But the city dwellers are far from getting facilities as provided in a city corporation.

Besides, there has been virtually no improvement in the essential services like water-power supply, sanitation and healthcare, many citizens said.

Government employees based in Barisal city are preparing for agitation to realise city corporation allowance, now given to those in Sylhet though the two cities were made corporations in the same year.

When contacted City Corporation Mayor and local member of parliament Mazibur Rahaman Sarwar said, all the promises given by the present government will be fulfilled one after another and Barisal will be turned into a beautiful city.

Setting up of a university is under process, said Sarwar, also the minister in charge of Baisal district.