MANIKGANJ, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS) - Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita today said the government, led by Prime Minister Tareque Rahman, would not tolerate corruption, illegal toll collection, and terrorism in society. The minister made the remarks while addressing a view-exchanging meeting with print and electronic media journalists at the Manikganj Circuit House. She said the government is giving top priority to the construction of the third terminal at Shahjalal International Airport. The minister added that the government would ensure hassle-free arrangements for Hajj pilgrims and guarantee the security of expatriates at the airport. “The people of Manikganj supported me in the election, and I will work to address the problems of the district’s residents,” she said. Highlighting the impact of river erosion on the local population, she said necessary projects would be undertaken to provide permanent solutions. “Tourism-focused projects along the Jamuna and Padma rivers will be developed,” she added, noting that the government plans to renovate the Baliati Zamindar Palace and other historic sites in the district. Later, the minister held a meeting with senior lawyers at the Circuit House and exchanged views with departmental heads at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana. She also offered Fateha at the grave of her late father, Minister Harunar Rashid Khan Monno, at Monno City Gilanda, and at the grave of the late Chief Whip Khandakar Delwar Hossain in Pachuria.  

RAJSHAHI, Feb 23, 2026 (BSS)- Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr ANM Bazlur Rashid has said that the national election and referendum were held in the Rajshahi Division in a very peaceful and festive atmosphere.  The inter-departmental coordination that has developed here through the voting process will play an important role in nation-building in the days ahead.   He made these remarks while presiding over the Divisional Development Coordination Meeting held at his conference room this morning.   Addressing the officials participating in the coordination meeting, he urged them not to consider any task as someone else’s responsibility.  “We must take part in all activities. We will certainly perform our own duties, but if we also keep some track of the work of other departments, we will be able to build our country and society in a more beautiful way,” he said.   Mentioning that nearly 72 percent of voters in the Rajshahi Division cast their ballots in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, he said that voter turnout in the division was much higher than the national average and the second highest among the country’s eight divisions after Sylhet.  Officials of every department conducted extensive publicity beyond their regular duties to ensure voter turnout. For this, he credited all departmental officials and expressed his gratitude and thanks to them.   At the meeting, the Health Department informed that through the 48th Special BCS, a total of 450 doctors have been appointed in the division, with seven to eight doctors assigned to each upazila. The Electricity Department reported that a control room is being opened for load management during the upcoming Ramadan and irrigation season. The Food Department stated that this year the Rajshahi Division has collected double the targeted amount of food grains and currently has 350,000 metric tons of rice in stock. The Agriculture Department reported that, except for pulses, the division has surplus production of all types of food.  After meeting local demand, various surplus food products are being supplied across the country. The division supplies 24 percent of the country’s total potato demand. A representative of the Water Development Board informed the meeting that several projects are underway for dredging various rivers in the Rajshahi Division, and new projects have been approved for further dredging.  He also said that a project to prevent river erosion in Chapainawabganj Sadar and Shibganj has recently been approved by ECNEC, and through this initiative it will be possible to prevent river erosion before the upcoming monsoon. The Department of Social Services said that work is underway to formulate guidelines for issuing family cards as declared in the current government’s election manifesto.  At Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, an allocation of Tk 10 million has been provided this year to support 200 patients suffering from six complex diseases, with each patient receiving Tk 50,000.   At the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner requested the Agriculture Department and related officials to ensure close monitoring to prevent fertilizer smuggling and inter-upazila transfer.  Heads of divisional offices and the Deputy Commissioners of the eight districts of Rajshahi Division were present at the meeting.