'Allocate more funds for neglected Satkhira'

The seminar on 'Upcoming National Budget and Expectation of Satkhira people', was organised by Satkhira Unnayan Committee (Satkhira development committee), an organisation formed last year, comprising civil society members. It was held at Satkhira Bar Council building.

Principal Asit Kumar Majumdar, convenor of the committee presided. Journalist Kalyan Bannerjee read out a paper prepared by the committee.

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The speakers included Anisur Rahman, Sheikh Abdul Wadood, Advocate Tapan Chakraborty, Azahar Hossain, Prof Mainul Hasan, Prof Abdul Hamid, journalist Subhash Chowdhury, Mizanur Rahman, Yunous Ali, Ashrat Ali Siddique and Principal Raznul Islam.

Academicians, economists, lawyers, NGO representatives and local government leaders attended the seminar.

The committee in its paper said, the country earns over Tk 2000 crore in foreign currency every year by exporting shrimps and frozen foods, of which 60 to 70 per cent are produced in Satkhira district.

But successive governments did not take any step for development of the district though it is playing a vital role in the country's development.

Expectation of people of the district was not reflected in any of the annual development plans in the past, it stated.

The speakers demanded adequate budgetary allocations for expansion of power supply and telephone facility, development of solar energy, construction of rural roads and supply of safe drinking water.

They also demanded re-excavation of silted rivers like the Kabodak, Betna and Marichchap, setting up of an agriculture college, conservation of bio-diversity of the Sundarbans and turning Bhomra customs station into a full fledged land port.