Minister’s DO letter sparks row over Rangpur Rehab Centre relocation

A proposal to relocate the government-approved drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centre from Rangpur to Lalmonirhat has triggered controversy, with local political leaders and civil society representatives questioning the move and calling for the project to remain in the divisional city.

The proposal followed a demi-official (DO) letter from Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu to the Prime Minister, requesting that the centre be established in Lalmonirhat. The Home Ministry has sought urgent prior approval from the Planning Commission to change the project location.

According to a letter signed by Josefa Yasmin, senior assistant secretary of the Security Services Division, the approved Development Project Proforma (DPP) initially designated 10 acres of land at Manthana mouza in Rangpur Sadar upazila for the centre.

However, landowners objected to the acquisition, saying the proposed land was used for three crops a year, creating complications.

The minister subsequently proposed 10 acres at Bairagikumur and Nowdabas mouzas under Barabari Union in Lalmonirhat Sadar. The Home Ministry said relocation would require a revision of the approved DPP.

The Tk 1,413-crore project envisages 200-bed rehabilitation centres in seven divisional cities: Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh. It has been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) and is being implemented by the Department of Narcotics Control.

Bangladesh currently has four government-run drug addiction treatment centres, including the central facility in Dhaka and regional centres in Chattogram, Rajshahi and Khulna.

Mahfuz Un Nabi Don, member secretary of Rangpur Metropolitan BNP and administrator of Rangpur City Corporation, told The Daily Observer that sufficient land could be found in Rangpur and criticised the relocation proposal. “Although complications over land acquisition have been cited, nobody sought our assistance,” he said.

Saiful Islam, convener of Rangpur District BNP and administrator of the district council, said the relocation was unacceptable. He added that he had sent DO letters to the Prime Minister and Home Minister demanding that the project be implemented in Rangpur.