State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam on Tuesday told Parliament that a directive has been given to Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to prepare “visiting rooms” for the Members of Parliament (MP) concerned in every upazila parishads as the lawmaker has no office or sitting space in the upazila-level.

“An official order has been issued today (Tuesday) asking UNOs to prepare a room on the second floor of every upazila parishad building, with attached bathroom and necessary furniture,” he said taking the floor in the House.

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The state minister said the rooms will be set up in both new and old upazila parishad buildings, depending on availability and will be named “visiting rooms” as there is no provision to allocate rooms in the name of any MP.

He said MPs will be able to sit in these rooms, carry out their official activities, meet with local people and spend time there as needed.

Mir Shahe Alam noted that lawmakers often face difficulties in finding a place to sit when they visit upazila parishads.

“When MPs visit upazila parishads they often do not have any place to sit. Recently, an MP raised this demand and following that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman instructed me to take necessary measures,” he said.

He added the decision was taken in consultation with Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after which the government order (GO) was issued.

The MPs were asked to communicate with the respective UNOs to ensure that the rooms are prepared quickly, he said.