District Commissioners Propose Airport, Economic Zone in Noakhali, Gazipur Among 498 Plans

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District commissioners across Bangladesh have proposed a wide range of national development initiatives, including establishing an economic zone in Gazipur, a 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, and an international standard airport in Noakhali, ahead of a four-day conference set to begin Sunday. Policy makers are slated to discuss these and 498 other proposals put forward by the DCs.

The annual District Commissioners’ Conference, which will run until May 6 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, is the first such gathering since the formation of a new government led by the BNP following the 13th national parliamentary elections on February 12. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the event and engage in an open discussion with the divisional commissioners and DCs. Unlike the previous year, district chiefs will also make courtesy calls on the President and the Speaker of the National Parliament.

The Cabinet Division, which oversees the conference, has selected 498 proposals for discussion from a total of 1,729 submitted by divisional commissioners and DCs nationwide. Among the key proposals are calls to release all national budget funds by April 15, upgrade the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway to eight lanes, establish government primary schools in tea gardens, and ensure free education for all disabled students from impoverished families across districts. Other notable suggestions include implementing an inclusive curriculum and assessment system to guarantee learning for all children, formulating policies for setting up Qawmi madrasas, and appointing teachers in relevant languages to ensure mother-tongue instruction for students from small ethnic groups.

Decisions made during the District Commissioners’ Conference are categorised into short-term, medium-term, and long-term objectives, with medium and long-term decisions naturally requiring more time for implementation. According to relevant sources, 61 percent of the short-term decisions from the previous conference, held under an interim government, have been implemented. Additionally, 35 percent of medium-term decisions and 16 percent of long-term decisions have been executed to date.

The Cabinet Division organises the conference, where proposals from DCs on various ministry and departmental issues are deliberated in the presence of ministers and secretaries. As field-level representatives of the government, DCs play a crucial role in policymaking, implementing development programs, and coordinating activities, making their proposals and the conference itself highly significant.

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Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani is scheduled to brief the press on the conference details at the Secretariat on Saturday afternoon. Following Sunday’s inaugural session, discussions will focus on issues related to the Prime Minister’s Office and its agencies, health, education, primary and mass education, and law ministries. DCs will conclude the first day with a courtesy visit to the President at বঙ্গভবন.

Monday’s agenda includes discussions concerning the Finance Ministry and other ministries and divisions. On the same day, DCs will visit the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban for a courtesy call and exchange of views with the Speaker of the National Parliament.

The third day, May 5, will feature discussions on the Armed Forces Division, Power Division, Energy and Mineral Resources Division, and several other ministries. DCs are also expected to make a courtesy visit to the Chief Justice at the Bangladesh Supreme Court Building and discuss matters related to the Election Commission.

The final day of the conference, May 6, will cover issues concerning the Home Ministry, Public Administration Ministry, and several other ministries. In the evening, the Bangladesh Administration Service Association, an organisation of administration cadre officers, including DCs, will hold a meeting with the Prime Minister at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, where they will dine with him.