Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inaugurated the distribution of incentive payments to sugarcane farmers. He launched the programme at a public rally at Rajshahi’s historic Madrasa ground (the Haji Muhammad Mohsin Government High School ground), announcing an allocation of Tk 12 crore 23 lakh 75 thousand in farm incentives for 38,970 sugarcane farmers.
On Tuesday afternoon, 20 October, he said “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim” and pressed a digital button at the rally to start the payments all at once.
Thousands of people at the rally said “Bismillah” in unison with the prime minister.
The prime minister arrived at the rally at 3:25pm, where BNP leaders, activists and supporters welcomed him.
On stage with him were BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, acting secretary general Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, culture minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, industries minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, state minister for local government Mir Shahe Alam, the prime minister’s adviser Rehan Asif Asad, Rajshahi City Corporation administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, Rajshahi-2 MP Mizanur Rahman Minu, Rajshahi-3 MP Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon, Rajshahi-5 MP Professor Nazrul Islam, Rajshahi-6 MP Abu Sayeed Chand, reserved-seat MP Mahmuda Habiba and Rajshahi Development Authority chairman Abul Kalam Azad Sweet, along with other central and local leaders.
Earlier, the prime minister landed at Rajshahi’s Shah Makhdum Airport on a military aircraft at 2:55pm. Thousands of people lined both sides of the road to greet him on his way to the rally, and he waved back from inside the bus.
After the rally the prime minister was to visit the puja pavilion at Rajshahi’s Dharmasabha temple, exchange greetings with members of the Hindu community and attend a discussion.
After his Rajshahi programme he was due to leave for Chattogram.
Earlier, marking Maha Navami of the Durga Puja festival, the prime minister left Tejgaon airport in the capital for Saidpur on a military aircraft at 9am, landing at Saidpur airport at 9:50am.
On the way from Saidpur to Rangpur he addressed two roadside meetings, at Taraganj and Paglapir, and then visited the puja pavilion at Rangpur’s Radha Gobinda temple.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report