The first meeting of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives of the 13th National Parliament has recommended taking security deposits from contractors as a three-year warranty to ensure the quality and durability of rural road construction. The committee also recommended launching projects to identify arsenic-affected areas across the country and ensure access to safe drinking water.

The meeting was held at the Parliament Building on Sunday (October 11), chaired by committee chairman A.K.M. Selim Reza Habib, MP.

Committee members, including Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, Alhaj Jasim Uddin Ahmed, Sheikh Farid Ahmed, Selina Sultana, A.T.M. Azharul Islam and Md. Rafiqul Islam Khan, attended the meeting.

The meeting began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by an introduction session among committee members. The members were also introduced to the heads of the ministry’s departments and agencies. A presentation was subsequently made on the activities of the ministry and its affiliated offices and organisations. The committee was also briefed on various initiatives undertaken by the ministry during the government’s first 180 days.

In line with the prime minister’s directives, the committee recommended collecting security deposits from contractors as a three-year warranty to ensure the quality, durability, transparency and accountability of rural road construction. It also stressed strengthening supervision by ensuring that the relevant officials properly discharge their responsibilities.

To control Aedes mosquitoes and prevent dengue, the committee recommended taking necessary measures to supervise cleanliness drives through upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) in their respective areas and raise public awareness.

The committee emphasised that officials must perform their duties with honesty, dedication, accountability and without favouritism. It also recommended introducing an online attendance system at the upazila level.

In addition, the committee recommended taking appropriate measures to investigate irregularities and corruption in unnecessary projects undertaken with domestic and foreign funding during the previous government.

In his welcome address, committee chairman A.K.M. Selim Reza Habib paid tribute to freedom fighter and martyred President Ziaur Rahman, late BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War. He prayed for the salvation of their souls and paid tribute to those killed during the July 2024 uprising, while expressing deep sympathy for those injured.

The meeting was attended by the two secretaries of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, additional secretaries, joint secretaries, heads of various departments and agencies, and relevant officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat.