Planning ministry to be developed as govt's think-tank: Minister

FE Report

The newly appointed planning minister AK Khandakar Wednesday said his ministry would play the key role in the development of the nation in the form of the government's think-tank.

"The ministry will be strengthened with perfect planning, data and statistics. It will be developed as the key think-tank of the government," he told reporters in his first working day at the planning commission office in Dhaka.

He said after liberation, the planning commission played very important roles for the country's development. "So, it should be strengthened again like before."

Mr. Khandakar, a cabinet member of the newly elected government, arrived at his ministry office in the city's Agargaon area at about 10:30am where the PC officials welcomed him.

Describing his vision, AK Khandakar told reporters that he would sketch an outline for strengthening the planning ministry in a bid to work for a poverty-free Bangladesh.

He will later send it to the prime minister for necessary actions.

As per our election manifesto, the planning ministry will work to take the country forward, he said adding "We would work to achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs) and eradicate poverty."

In reply to a question on past inefficiencies in implementing annual development programmes (ADP), Khandakar said: "We will monitor it strictly so that the quality of the projects improve and the money is spent properly."

The new minister vowed to establish coordination between the planning and finance ministry for driving Bangladesh on the right track towards development.

Khandakar, who was a former air force chief and second-in-command of the freedom fighters in the independence war, hoped the trial of the war criminals will begin soon.

"Trial of the criminals is very important for the nation," he said thanking voters, especially the young voters for rejecting war criminals in the last parliament poll on December 29.