Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, March 25, 2026 (BSS)- State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mir Shahe Alam, has said that among the 12 city corporations in Bangladesh, Rajshahi City Corporation is the most modern, beautiful, green, and clean.

He praised many of the initiatives taken by the city corporation. After observing them firsthand, he said he is considering bringing administrators, CEOs, waste management officials, and chief engineers from other city corporations to Rajshahi to show them these efforts.

He added that he has visited various city corporations and found that their waste management, cleanliness, tree plantation, and greening efforts are not as impressive as those in Rajshahi.

He believes that if others learn from this experience, they will be able to improve their own work.

He made these remarks this afternoon while speaking as the chief guest at an exchange meeting with officials of Rajshahi City Corporation at the annex hall of the city building.

The State Minister said that medical waste is currently being dumped in one place but is not being utilized. Several companies from different countries have shown interest in using this waste to generate electricity and organic fertilizer.

In Gazipur, a Finnish company has already been assigned this work on a pilot basis. He suggested that Rajshahi could also initiate such a pilot project.

Shahe Alam further said that the requirements of all 12 city corporations have been assessed and equipment will be supplied accordingly.

He also assured that any new project needed to make Rajshahi City Corporation more beautiful would be implemented.

Referring to past practices, the State Minister said that corruption had been encouraged at all levels of the state, from the grassroots to the highest tiers.

He mentioned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declared that the government belongs to everyone.

Therefore, he urged the administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation to act as an administrator for all.

He said that ministers, administrators, and officials should follow the example of the Prime Minister, who still uses his personal car, pays for fuel himself, employs his own driver, does not use a flag on his vehicle, does not travel with large convoys, and stops at red signals.

He emphasized that the Prime Minister avoids arrogance and practices austerity to reduce national expenditure, and that everyone should take him as a role model.

At the event, he also instructed the concerned authorities to ensure proper identification of priority areas, appropriate use of funds, and to keep schools and playgrounds under the city corporation open for the general public and children.

The meeting was chaired by Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Riton. Among others present were Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dr. Zillur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of the city corporation Md. Rezaul Karim, officials of the city corporation, former councilors, representatives from various government and private offices, and media personnel.

Earlier, the State Minister answered questions from journalists at the city corporation premises.