If Farmers Survive, Bangladesh Will Survive: PM Tarique Rahman Urges Vigilance at Canal Excavation Launch
Dinajpur: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday called on citizens to remain vigilant against forces that might oppose the country’s progress, saying some groups could feel uncomfortable as Bangladesh advances along a path of development.
He made the remarks while addressing a civic gathering after inaugurating a canal excavation program in Sahapara village of Kaharol upazila in Dinajpur.
The prime minister said the BNP government has already started implementing several commitments outlined in its election manifesto soon after taking office.
Among the measures already introduced are the waiver of agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000 for farmers, distribution of family cards, honorariums for imams and khatibs of mosques, and financial allowances for priests serving temples and churches.
“These were commitments we made to the people during the election. We are now moving ahead to fulfill them. But there may be some who are unhappy to see such development activities, so everyone must stay alert and cautious,” he said.
Rahman noted that although northern Bangladesh relies heavily on agriculture, the region has long faced neglect in terms of development.
Despite strong potential for agro-based industries, earlier initiatives failed to capitalize on that opportunity. According to him, the current government plans to address this gap by establishing industrial zones and promoting agro-based industries in the region.
He also referred to the country’s recent political changes, saying that people had been deprived of their voting rights for many years. In the latest national election, citizens from different backgrounds voted overwhelmingly for the BNP, placing the party in power. The government, he said, aims to respect that mandate by working toward the country’s development.
Highlighting the importance of agriculture, the prime minister stressed the need to increase crop production in Dinajpur and develop agro-industrial facilities in the region.
“This country belongs to its people. The citizens are the real owners of Bangladesh. If farmers and laborers survive, Bangladesh will survive,” he said.
Rahman also warned that the country’s groundwater level is gradually declining, which could create long-term risks as Bangladesh becomes increasingly dependent on underground water sources.
The canal excavation program, he explained, is intended to create water reservoirs and improve water conservation, which could eventually help replenish groundwater levels.
He added that initiatives aimed at benefiting ordinary people can sometimes create discomfort among certain groups, as such programs strengthen public welfare and contribute to national progress. For this reason, he urged citizens to remain aware and vigilant.
The event was presided over by Dinajpur District BNP President Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal.
Speaking at the gathering, BNP Secretary General and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described the canal excavation initiative as essential for Bangladesh. He said it should evolve into a nationwide social movement through collective efforts, which would help implement the BNP’s proposed 31-point reform agenda.
Social Services, Women and Children Affairs Minister A Z M Zahid Hossain said the program reflects the development philosophy of the late President Ziaur Rahman, expressing hope that it would bring significant change to the country.
Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie announced that the government plans to excavate around 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh. He described the project as more than a development initiative, calling it a guiding principle for building a prosperous Bangladesh.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said the government is determined to realize the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and move forward with the implementation of the 31-point agenda.
State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad and Kaharol Upazila BNP President Golam Mostafa Badsha also spoke at the event, which was moderated by Dinajpur District BNP General Secretary Bakhtiar Ahmed Kochi.
