Don’t lobby for PD post aiming to enjoy illegal facilities

Staff Correspondent: Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzaque yesterday asked the concerned person not to lobby for seeking a post of project director (PD) with an aim to enjoy illegal facilities by resorting to irregularities and corruption.
“Don’t lobby for seeking PD post with an aim to enjoy illegal facilities by engaging yourself in corruption and irregularities,” he said.
The minister made this comment while addressing a review meeting on annual development programme (ADP) implementation progress at the agriculture ministry conference room yesterday morning.
Calling the officials not to pursue for seeking the post of project director, the presidium member of the ruling Awami League said the project director usually being appointed after considering professional skills, qualification and leadership and management capabilities, adding that “ never become a PD targeting only to enjoy some unethical benefits by giving a priority to corruption and unlawful activities.”
Those who have already become the PD must have to spend the project money with due transparency, honesty and carefully, said the minister.
Calling the scientists, extension workers and officials to raise the production of rice, Dr Razzaque said rice price is not under control despite the country have witnessed record production and maximum rice stockpile under public sector.
Rice is our staple food and that’s why rice production any how would have to rise, he added. Under the situation, extension of rice cultivation and newly innovated rice varieties must have to be disseminated at adverse areas including haor and coastal belts. “all the officials including scientists and extension workers must have to work in coordinated way and intensively,” he told the meeting.

A total of over Tk2,928 crore have been earmarked for implementing 71 projects under the agriculture ministry for 2021-22 fiscal year.
The project implementation progress till December 2021 stands at 32 percent which is 8 percent more than the average national progress.

Concerned high officials, different agency chiefs and project directors, among others, attended the meeting.