Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday told Parliament that massive corruption was committed in the name of development during the fascist regime.

“It unfortunate for us that utter corruption was committed in the name of mega projects or development during the regime of the past fascist government. it is our realization after we came in power one month ago,” he said, replying to a supplementary question from opposition lawmaker Akhter Hossen (Rangpur-4) during the question-and-answer session in the House.

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The Minister said it is also unfortunate that even those who were in charge during the past interim government took away (government) funds to their own areas, while the roads and streets in the northern region remained utterly neglected.

He assured the House that their government won’t patronize such corruption in future. “InshaAllah, in the coming days, we will not tolerate any such corruption and will work giving the utmost importance to rural roads and communication,” said Fakhrul Islam.

Aktar Hossain in his question said the rural people are badly suffering due to poor roads as the government undertakes mega projects (neglecting the rural road system).

The NCP lawmaker asked the minister whether this government would take measures to develop the roads.

In reply to another supplementary question from opposition Jamaat lawmaker Md Abdul Aleem (Bagerhat-4), the LGRD Minister said the rural roads were not developed so significantly due to widespread corruption and nepotism during the tenure of the previous fascist government and the interim government.

He said many rural roads were still unpaved and the government has already taken initiatives to upgrade them. “We have undertaken steps to pave the earthen roads in phases,” said Fakhrul Islam.