A promise not met in 10 yrs

The foundation of the proposed Regional TV station in Sylhet, laid 10 years back, till keeps the hope alive among people but the authorities failed to take any step to fulfil it. PHOTO: STAR

Cultural activists as well as people staged demonstrations on several occasions for setting up of the proposed regional TV Station.

The then Finance minister M Saifur Rahman laid its foundation on December 15, 1995 on a piece of fallow land of Radio Bangladesh at Tilagarh on the outskirts of Sylhet city.

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An amount of Tk 20 crore was sanctioned for the project in the 5th 5-year plan, officials said.

The project includes construction of a 150 square metre studio, three Electronic News Gathering units (ENG) for outdoor coverage, three editing studios, 120 metre tower, Microwave communication centre, machinery, equipment, dormitory, power sub-station, and police barrack.

But, everything was suspended after the change of government and the fund was also withdrawn.

Later, on February 15, 1997, the then state minister for information at a function in Sunamganj said the project would be implemented. He also said a camera unit would be opened in the divisional city, pending setting up of a full-fledged Regional Station. But nothing has been done.

After BNP came to power in 2001, several demonstrations were held urging Sylhet BNP leaders to fulfil their promise. But the project is still in cold storage.

Recently, cultural activists in the divisional headquarters staged a demonstration, but this also failed to draw their attention. Talking to this correspondent they said they will launch a tougher agitation to press their demand.