Professor Dr S M Abdul-Awal, Chief Coordinator for SDG Affairs at the PMO, spoke today as the chief guest at an exchange meeting with divisional and district-level officials in Rajshahi. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, June 1, 2026 (BSS)- Professor Dr. S M Abdul-Awal, Chief Coordinator 
for SDG Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), said that under the 
Prime Minister's directives, field-level administration officials must be 
proactive to ensure the successful implementation of his signature projects.
 
He said failure to properly implement government projects at the grassroots 
is one of the main causes of government ineffectiveness. 
Therefore, vigilant oversight is required to ensure that these special 
projects, undertaken for public welfare, are not obstructed in any way.
 
He made these remarks as the chief guest at an exchange meeting with 
divisional and district-level officials on the progress of the Prime 
Minister's signature projects, held today in the conference hall of the 
Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner.
 
In his speech, Dr. S M Abdul-Awal said he had come to Rajshahi on the Prime 
Minister's instructions to conduct special monitoring of the signature 
projects under implementation.
 
These projects include: Family Card and Farmer Card, Canal excavation, 
Recruitment of 100,000 health workers, Youth employment, Planting 250 million 
trees, Providing allowances to khatibs, imams, muezzins and heads of other 
religious institutions, Establishing sports as a profession and livelihood, 
Reviving cooperatives, Establishing regional e-commerce hubs, Establishing an 
agricultural export zone in the northern region, Development of livestock and 
fisheries, Entrepreneurship-startup projects and an agricultural entrepreneur 
platform- along with several other programmes of public importance.

He said the current government's conviction is "Bangladeshi nationalism". 
Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in this country are all citizens of 
Bangladesh. 

He stressed that it is crucial to monitor these projects to ensure they run 
successfully in order to uphold everyone's rights.
 
Regarding the allowance for khatibs, imams, muezzins and other religious 
leaders, he instructed Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to work with 
responsibility and sincerity so that no problems arise.
 
He also urged the preparation of social and economic reports on the 
indigenous communities of the division.
 
The problems facing the canal excavation programme will require more detailed 
discussion in the future, he added.
 
Speaking on the recruitment of health workers at the union and field levels 
and the development of health complexes, he said these institutions are 
essential for delivering healthcare at the grassroots.
 
Highlighting the importance of the Family Card, he said, "It is not just a 
card. When a family is given Taka 2,500 through it, their tendency to save 
increases and their purchasing power grows. This creates demand for products 
in the market and gradually plays a major role in creating employment." 

He further noted that each signature project was adopted after deep 
consideration for improving people's quality of life.
 
Citing Malaysia as an example of development, the Chief Coordinator said 
there is only a 14-year gap between the independence of Bangladesh and 
Malaysia. "But we must reach the level Malaysia has achieved today," he 
added. 

He assured officials that problems related to PKSF or the NGO Affairs Bureau 
would be resolved through coordination at the highest level.
 
The meeting was chaired by Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr. ANM Bazlur 
Rashid. Special guests included Rajshahi Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) 
of Police Mohammad Shahjahan and Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam.
 
Also in attendance were RMP Additional Police Commissioner Md. Al Mamun, 
Rajshahi Superintendent of Police Mohammad Naimul Hasan, all Upazila Nirbahi 
Officers of Rajshahi, and senior officials from various government 
departments.