A much awaited welcome move by the government.

CA announces mobile connectivity for CHT

Thu, Mar 27th, 2008 5:14 pm BdST
Rangamati, March 27 (bdnews24.com)—Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed
Thursday announced a government decision to introduce mobile
connectivity to municipal areas of the three CHT districts.

“Establishing mobile networks in the hill areas is a long-running
demand by people. The government has decided to introduce mobile
networks to the municipal areas of the three hills districts,”
Fakhruddin told a discussion meeting with government officials and
local civil-society representatives, at the Tribal Cultural Institute
in Rangamati.

The CA also said: “The CHT peace agreement was signed in 1997 to
uphold the educational, cultural, social and political rights in the
hill areas like other areas of the country. The present government has
taken different steps in continuation of the agreement.”

Mentioning the “vulnerable condition” of the telecoms system in the
CHT area that also includes Bandarban and Khagrachhari, Fakhruddin
said: “Steps will be taken to improve the quality of telephone
services.”

The CA mentioned that Tk 1,200 crore had so far been allocated for
development of the hill areas in the years after the signing of the
peace agreement. “A further Tk 207 crore will be allocated in the next
fiscal year,” he said.

In the meeting, the chief adviser referred to the introduction ofjudge’s courts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Staffers will be
appointed to set up judge’s courts by April to make them operative by
the time.

Allowances for local headmen were inadequate compared to the roles
they play in maintaining peace in the area, he said, adding:
“Allowances will be increased for them.”

The chief adviser also pledged steps to rehabilitate the jumia
families affected by the attack of rats and said: “Funds have already
been allocated for that purpose.”

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