Rangamati, Aug 28 (V7N) — State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin has been assigned responsibility for overseeing and coordinating law and order, corruption prevention, drug control, good governance and overall government activities in the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.
The government has assigned 30 ministers, state ministers and parliamentary whips to specific districts to oversee and coordinate government activities related to law and order, corruption, drug control and good governance across the country.
The Cabinet Division announced the allocation of responsibilities in a notification issued on Thursday (Aug 27). Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani signed the notification on behalf of the President.
According to the notification, although funds were allocated on paper for development projects in various districts during the previous regime, large-scale corruption allegedly resulted in the misuse and embezzlement of public funds. Part of the allegedly misappropriated money was reportedly used for activities posing threats to public safety and national security, including drug-related activities and other forms of social degradation.
Against this backdrop, ministers, state ministers and parliamentary whips have been assigned district-level responsibilities to help ensure law and order, prevent corruption and control drug abuse while strengthening good governance.
As part of the arrangement, State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin has been given responsibility for overseeing and coordinating affairs across the three Chittagong Hill Tracts districts — Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.
The state minister will be able to provide necessary guidance to relevant government agencies to control drug abuse and illicit trafficking, prevent smuggling, combat serious crimes and maintain a stable law and order situation in the assigned districts.
He will also be responsible for monitoring and advising on the implementation of the government’s election manifesto, poverty reduction, employment generation, social safety-net programmes, development projects and various public welfare activities.
The notification further states that the ministers, state ministers and parliamentary whips assigned to the districts may participate in district-level meetings when necessary and provide relevant advice.
The government said the decision was taken in accordance with Article 55(2) of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Rules of Business.
Local administrators and political leaders in the three hill districts have viewed the assignment as significant for strengthening coordination in law and order, drug control, corruption prevention and the implementation of government development programmes.
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