Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today urged the people to stay alert against those trying to create chaos, saying such attempts could hamper the country`s development and peace, ultimately harming the people.
"For the past few days, some people have been trying to spread confusions. Everyone must remain alert so that they cannot create any kind of disorder or confusion. Those spreading confusions will go away after serving their own interests, but ultimately it is the people of the country who will suffer," he said.
The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest at a programme titled "House Handover, Grant and Relief Distribution" at the Banshkhali High School and College ground, organised to rehabilitate families affected by the recent floods in Chattogram.
Referring to the government`s plan to be presented in parliament, Tarique Rahman said the BNP government would place its overall development plans, including those for power and energy, before the House.
"If the opposition or anyone else has any plan, they can present it before the people. But do not create disorder or disturb people`s peace by making misleading statements," he said, adding, "More than 50 years have passed since the country became independent. There is no time to look back anymore; now is the time to work and build the country."
Highlighting the government`s commitment to the welfare and social protection of every family, the Prime Minister said the government`s main responsibility is to stand by the people as they had elected it.
"We have to stand by the people in good and times, stand by mothers and sisters, ensure education for children, provide proper treatment to those who fall ill and create employment opportunities for young people, both women and men," he said.
Tarique Rahman said, "We began implementing the pledges we made during the election within a month of forming the government."
"The pilot project of the Family Card has been successfully completed, and the main programme is set to begin on August 16. In the 2026-27 fiscal year, Family Cards will be provided to women heads of around 41 lakh families across the country," he added.
Around 10,000 to 12,000 families in Banshkhali upazila will come under the programme, the Prime Minister said, adding that alongside the Family Card, the government is introducing a "Farmer Card" to recognise farmers, including salt farmers.
The premier also said a new price for salt would be announced soon to restore the economic stability of salt farmers, so they would no longer have to face the difficulties they had experienced in the past.
Talking about plans to develop Chattogram as an economic corridor, the Prime Minister said he had visited Matarbari, Maheshkhali and Mirsarai earlier in the day.
"The vast sea is our national asset. We are working to attract both domestic and foreign investment to the Chattogram region," he said, adding that a special zone had recently been established for Chinese investors, where many industries would be set up and thousands of young people would find employment.
On healthcare, Tarique Rahman said the government`s 50-bed upazila hospitals would be upgraded to 101-bed hospitals within the next five years to ensure comprehensive healthcare for people at the grassroots level.
Turning to the power and energy sector, he said the previous autocratic government had handed over the country`s power and energy sector to a small number of individuals and adopted plans to serve their interests rather than those of the people.
Tarique Rahman said his government had already started work to reform the power and energy system and would present before Parliament a 10-year plan outlining the country`s future electricity system.
"We will formulate a plan to ensure that people get reliable electricity at schools, colleges, hospitals, mills, factories and homes, and proper gas supply for vehicles and other needs," he said.
Recalling that two key ministries-finance and home affairs-had been entrusted to leaders from Chattogram, the Prime Minister urged local people to remain patient and cooperate with development activities.
"When two people from an area are entrusted with such important ministries, no one will be able to hold back the development of that area, InshaAllah," he said.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Asadul Habib Dulu spoke at the programme.
Senior BNP leaders, officials of the Chattogram district administration and a large number of people were also present.
Before attending the programme, the Prime Minister handed over the keys to a newly built house to a flood-affected family in Baharchhara village under a government rehabilitation programme for families whose homes were damaged by the floods.
He also planted a mahogany sapling in the yard of the new house and provided the family with rice and other essential commodities, as well as ducks and chickens.
