Political identity should not affect relief work: State minister

DEBIGANJ, PANCHAGARH, July 10: State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad on Friday said he does not engage in politics to earn applause but to serve people, urging fair distribution of government assistance regardless of political affiliation.

"I do not do politics to receive applause or to make people clap. I do politics for the people�"to stand by them in times of need and hardship," he said while distributing relief among families affected by a recent fire in Debiganj Upazila of Panchagarh.

The remarks came after members of the audience applauded his speech during the relief distribution programme held at Mallikadah Chowdhuripara in Sonahar Union around 11:00am. The minister stopped the applause before making the comments.

As part of the government assistance, 15 fire-affected families each received two bundles of corrugated iron sheets and Tk 6,000 in cash.

The state minister said he represents all citizens regardless of their political beliefs and stressed that political identity should never influence the distribution of government assistance.

"When a fire breaks out, it does not distinguish whether someone belongs to the BNP, Jamaat or any other political party," he said.

Addressing local public representatives and political activists, he urged them to ensure transparency and fairness in relief distribution.

"There should be no favouritism or nepotism in distributing government assistance. Relief must reach those who are genuinely affected and deserve support," he said.

Speaking about the development of religious institutions, Farhad Hossain Azad said no mosque, temple or church in Boda and Debiganj upazilas would be left out of government grants.

He also said the government plans to pave all remaining earthen roads in the two upazilas over the next five years.
Referring to river erosion, the state minister said the government would take all necessary measures to prevent the loss of agricultural land to rivers.

"Our goal is to ensure that not even a fraction of land is lost to river erosion, and we will do whatever is necessary to achieve that," he said.

Among those present at the programme were Debiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Indrajit Saha, local elected representatives, political leaders and residents.