It is irrational to compare Bangladesh’s situation with the internal crisis of Sri Lanka, said LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Friday. He made this remark at the concluding ceremony of the two-day ‘Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 International Conference: Issues and Challenges of Implementation’ held at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in the capital. Also read: Bangladesh well-placed among Asian nations in terms of foreign debt: LGRD Minister The economic situation of Bangladesh has changed a lot. Per capita income and purchasing power have increased, he said. The minister further said many developed countries and foreign companies are investing in the country amid economic growth under the leadership of the prime minister. Tajul said Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 adopted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been formulated with the overall cooperation of the Netherlands in the light of their Delta Plan. The main goal of the Delta Plan is to transform Bangladesh into a prosperous and self-respecting nation. If implemented, the next generation will get a sustainable developed country. “We need the support of our development partners to implement the Delta Master Plan,” he said, urging the development partners and organisations, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to stand by Bangladesh. Also read: Bangladesh on verge of collapse like Sri Lanka: Fakhrul A letter of intent (LOI) was signed between the LGRD ministry and the Government of the Netherlands on Thursday as part of the implementation of Delta Plan 2100. Through the LOI, the Dutch government will conduct piloting activities in Raozan of Chattogram and Keshabpur Municipality of Jashore to combat the effects of climate change, said the minister. The experience from the pilot project will be used to address climate risk in more than 100 municipalities in the future, he added.

The government will procure some 11.5 lakh metric tonnes of rice (boiled and non-boiled) and eight lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the current Boro season.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam on Thursday said that there is no scope for food scarcity and distribution of relief would not be affected even if the coronavirus pandemic’s prevalence is prolonged in the country.

Issuing a strong warning to public representatives and government officials concerned, LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Saturday said legal action will be taken for irregularities and corruption in relief distribution amid the evolving coronavirus situation.