Upgrade civic services alongside revenue collection: LGRD minister

Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Md Tajul Islam said the quality of civic services in the institutions under the local government including the city corporations and municipalities must be increased alongside revenue collection.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a programme titled "Road to Startup: Innovation and Entrepreneurship" organised by the Information and Technology Department on the Cumilla Club premises on Saturday.

The local government minister said while collecting revenues and holding taxes from the city dwellers, there must not be any discrimination and everyone should be bound to pay taxes equally.

He also urged the city corporations along with other local government bodies to be self-reliant by increasing revenue collection. But while doing that, he emphasised the need for working on how to improve the civic benefits as well.

At the same time, the minister directed the authorities concerned to prepare a master plan to properly regulate waste management and ensure proper water supply in the city.

He also stressed the importance of constructing better roads and improving the sewage system to mitigate water-logging to ensure civic comfort.
The programme was chaired by Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Abul Fazal Mir.

Among others, lawmaker AKM Bahauddin, Senior Secretary to ICT Department NM Ziaul Alam, Vice-Chancellor of Cumilla University Prof Dr Emran Kabir Chowdhury, Additional Secretary and Project Director Syed Mujibul Haque spoke at the event.

In his speech, Md Tajul Islam encouraged the young inventors to utilise their talent, creativity and mental strength.

"We can develop the country through digitalisation and if we want to keep pace with the world, we have to properly use our time and say no to corruption," he said.

He also asked the youth to be entrepreneurs instead of seeking regular jobs, saying entrepreneurship will enable them to create more jobs instead.
The LGRD minister hoped that the youngsters will be resilient in the face of life's ups and downs and fight through all obstacles.

He further declared that the dream of 'Digital Bangladesh' is no longer a farfetched idea but a reality under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The country will soon advance to become a 'super nation.'

Tajul remarked that not only economic growth but also multi-sectoral improvement including environmental sustainability is necessary to build a developed and prosperous nation before the year 2041.