PM now rejects Rajshahi administrator's France trip, says send engineer if needed

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declined to approve a proposed visit to France by the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) administrator to learn about energy-efficient street lighting technology, reinforcing his stance against unnecessary overseas trips by public officials.

However, he allowed the corporation's Executive Engineer (Electrical) ABM Asaduzzaman Sweet to make the visit, if required.

The decision came in a directive issued by the Prime Minister on a proposal sent by the Local Government Division to the Prime Minister's Office, seeking approval for the visit to France of two RCC officials.

According to the directive, knowledge gained from the programme will be useful for the city corporation if acquired by an engineer.

"As the administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation is not an engineer, his participation does not carry any significance. Only the proposed executive engineer (Electrical) may attend the visit, if necessary," the directive said.

The prime minister also suggested involving the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and other engineering universities in similar innovative initiatives in the future.

Contacted, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Salah Shibly confirmed the authenticity of the directive.

The proposal was sent to the PMO following an invitation from Signify Bangladesh Ltd.

Under the proposal, RCC Administrator Md Mahfujur Rahman Riton and Executive Engineer Sweet were scheduled to visit France to tour Signify France's Outdoor Lighting Application Centre and gain first-hand knowledge of new energy-saving street lighting technologies.

The decision follows a recent move by the prime minister to reject a proposal for a visit to the United States by Chattogram City Corporation mayor and five officials to learn about mosquito control measures.