30 lawmakers assigned to oversee govt activities across 64 districts

The government has assigned 30 ruling party MPs, including ministers and state ministers and whips, to oversee and coordinate government activities across all 64 districts, with responsibilities spanning law and order, anti-corruption and anti-drug efforts, good governance, development and public welfare.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification today (27 August), signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, saying the assignments would take effect immediately.

According to the notification, the decision was taken after the government observed that development allocations in the past existed only on paper, while corruption resulted in public funds being looted and siphoned off.

It also cited drug abuse and social degradation as threats to internal security, stating the decision was aimed at ensuring sustainable development, good governance, transparency and accountability, and curbing corruption.

Under the notification, the lawmakers will advise relevant government offices on maintaining law and order in their assigned districts, including curbing drug abuse and illegal trafficking, preventing smuggling and combating heinous crime.

They will also oversee the implementation of the government's election manifesto, poverty reduction, employment generation, social safety-net programmes and other development activities, it added.

When necessary, they may attend government meetings at the district level and provide guidance, the notification mentioned.

Who has been assigned which districts

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood has been given responsibility for Rajshahi and Natore.

Women, Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain has been assigned Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Panchagarh, while Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo will oversee Lakshmipur.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has been assigned Chuadanga, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir Habiganj, and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury Moulvibazar.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has been assigned Chattogram, while Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat will oversee Sherpur, Mymensingh and Netrokona.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu has been assigned Thakurgaon and Dinajpur, while Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman will oversee Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher has been assigned Feni and Noakhali, and Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain Bakul Manikganj and Munshiganj.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue has been assigned Cox's Bazar, while State Minister for Commerce Md Shariful Alam will oversee Tangail and Narsingdi.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has been assigned Madaripur and Shariatpur. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit will oversee Meherpur, Kushtia and Jhenaidah, while State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari has been assigned Bogura and Chapainawabganj.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has been assigned Dhaka, while State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mohammad Helal Uddin will oversee Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati.

State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Habibur Rashid has been assigned Gazipur and Narayanganj. State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Md Rajib Ahsan will oversee Barguna, Patuakhali and Pirojpur, while State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam has been assigned Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram.

State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin will oversee Sirajganj and Pabna. State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam has been assigned Jashore, Magura and Narail, while State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury will oversee Jamalpur and Kishoreganj.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmed Sohel Manjur has been assigned Barishal, Bhola and Jhalokathi. State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser will oversee Joypurhat and Naogaon, while Whip Md GK Gaus has been assigned Sylhet and Sunamganj.

Shariatpur-3 lawmaker Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu has been assigned Rajbari, Faridpur and Gopalganj, while Lakshmipur-4 lawmaker ABM Ashraf Uddin will oversee Brahmanbaria, Cumilla and Chandpur.