The government has taken up a massive Tk 85 billion industrialisation and development programme for Rangpur division, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said on Sunday. 

He said the plan has already been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

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He was speaking as the chief guest at an event to distribution scholarship money to the children of late members of Rangpur Division Journalists Association (RDJA) in Dhaka.   

The work on upgrading Saidpur Airport to international standard is going on, Tipu said adding that Rangpur is moving forward with various economic activities.

An agriculture university will be established soon in Kurigram, he mentioned.

He lauded the RDJA for introducing the scholar programme for the children of late journalists.

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RDJA president Moksedur Rahman Masu, former Dhaka Reporters Unity President Shafiqul Karim Sabu also spoke at the event.

The scholarship money, Tk. 3000 a month, was handed over to 10 children.  They will continue to get it as long as they continue their study.