Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday rejected a proposal to rename the Keraniganj Technical Training Centre (TTC) after former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, saying existing institutions should not be given new names.

The Prime Minister also directed the authorities concerned to consider such names for new institutions rather than renaming existing ones, according to sources at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Contacted, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Salah Shibly told UNB that the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment had sent a summary to the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, seeking approval to rename the Keraniganj Technical Training Centre as “Begum Khaleda Zia Technical Training Centre, Keraniganj.”

However, the Prime Minister did not approve the proposal.

Instead, he issued a policy directive, saying: “If necessary, name a new institution, not an existing one.”

Shibly said the Prime Minister’s instruction was clear that existing institutions should keep their current names, while the proposed name could be considered for any new institution or initiative in the future.

The Keraniganj Technical Training Centre is a government-run institution under the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET).

The centre provides practical training in a range of trades to help young people acquire skills and improve their employment opportunities both at home and abroad.

Officials said the institution plays an important role in producing skilled workers to meet the needs of local industries and overseas job markets.

As part of the government’s efforts to build a skilled workforce, the centre offers training programmes designed to equip young people with the technical and vocational skills required in modern workplaces.