Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said the present government will ensure uniform development of all regions in the country, including backward Rangpur region, in a planned manner.

“As per directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, massive development programmes will be implemented across the country in next five years,” Tipu said in a function held at Kawnia Girls’ School ground in Rangpur’s Kawnia Upazila on Friday (Jan 18) as the chief guest.

Balapara union Awami League (AL) organised the function to accord mass civic reception to Tipu Munshi, a freedom fighter, on his inclusion as a full minister by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Balapara union AL President Ansar Ali presided over the function.

The Commerce Minister also addressed street corner rallies while conducting his day-long post-election public contacts at different areas of Kawnia upazila during his first time visit to his constituency after becoming a minister, reports state news agency BSS.

Tipu Munshi expressed his deep gratitude to the people of his Rangpur-4 (Pirgachha and Kawnia) constituency for electing him Member of Parliament for the third consecutive time.

He said the people of Kawnia and Pirgachha upazilas have showed their firm confidence in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by electing him Member of Parliament in the Dec 30 11th Parliamentary Election.

“In reply, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown her respect to the people of Kawnia and Pirgachha upazilas as well as Rangpur region as a whole by making me Commerce Minister. I have come here to convey her greetings to you,” Tipu said.

Tipu said there will be planned developments in Pirgachha and Kawnia upazilas and Rangpur district and region as a whole.

“I am well informed about developments to be done in backward Rangpur region. I have to think about developments of all districts and regions of the country for ensuring uniform uplifts,” he said.

He sought continuous cooperation of the people of Kawnia and Pirgachha upazilas, Rangpur district and region as a whole so that he could conduct developments in the areas.

“We will promote industrialisation and set up industries and factories in Rangpur region to create employments for the unemployed youths of the region,” Tiu said.

He assured the people of his constituency of preparing lists of roads, bridges, culverts, schools, colleges, madrashas and other institutions for developments to turn Kawnia and Pirgachha into model upazilas.

“Stern actions will be taken against drug addicts and drug traders. We will present Kawnia and Pirgachha before the country as model upazilas free from drugs and child marriage,” Tipu said.

Vice-president of district AL Hakibur Rahman, its Joint General Secretary Mazed Ali Babul and Freedom Fighters’ Affairs Secretary Sarder Abdul Hakim, President of Kawnia upazila AL Anwarul Islam Maya, its General Secretary Abdul Hannan, Joint General Secretary Abdul Jalil and Organising Secretary Shafikul Islam, President of Kawnia upazila Jubo Mohila AL Hasna Pervin Mukti, among others, spoke.