Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (Saturday) inaugurated the re-excavation works of the Basia River in Sylhet, a project closely linked to the memory of his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

At about 1:20 pm, Tarique Rahman inaugurated the programme by cutting soil with a spade amidst the adverse weather conditions.

This Basia River in Kashipur Union, about seven kilometers away from Sylhet city, is connected to the Surma River.

Addressing the locals present after re-excavating the canal, the Prime Minister said the Basia River, this canal here, was dug by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1977. “After that, this canal was blocked again. We want to re-excavate this canal now.”

Explaining the reason for re-excavating this canal of the Basia River, he said, "If we dig this canal, about 80,000 farmers will be benefitted directly while 150,000 farmers indirectly. On both sides of this canal, about 7,000 metric tonnes more crops will be produced.”

He said more canals will be excavated all over Bangladesh to facilitate irrigation for farmers.

Describing the BNP government as a farmer-friendly one, the premier said, "When the election time came, I said in my speech that if voted to power, we will provide agricultural cards to the farmer brothers. I started this work from Tangail and thus I inaugurated the farmer card on April 14 last. We will gradually deliver the farmer cards to the farmer brothers of Bangladesh."

He said the government will provide many facilities including loan, fertilizers, seeds and pesticides directly to the farmers through the farmer cards.

“And the biggest facility is that they will get Taka 2500 per year in which they themselves can buy pesticides, seeds and other agricultural inputs directly. We will provide them with this financial assistance directly from the government,” he said.

Stating that loans of Taka 10,000 with interest have been waived for the farmers, Tarique Rahman said the government wants the farmers of this country to remain well and villagers to be well too.

But since most of the country’s people live in villages, ensuring their welfare is the government’s goal, he said.

The Prime Minister also informed the people that canal digging has already been started in 60 places across the country.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said, the government has started the work of canal digging by re-excavating this Basia canal. The canal digging has started in about 60 districts.

This Basia canal is about 40 kilometers, he said, out of the total, 23 kilometers will be re-excavated.

“We will need two dry seasons to dig this 23 kilometer canal. This has started now, but the monsoon has started…but we will restart digging canals again from November this year. When the dry season starts and Insha Allah, next year we will try to complete the re-excavation programme of this 23 kilometer canal. As a result, the farmer brothers and the people of the area will get the benefit of water,” he added.

He said trees will be planted on both banks of the canal. “We will not only dig the canal, but also plant trees on both sides of the canal for 23 kilometers along this canal. As a result, we will also be able to maintain the canal,” he said.

Noting that the people of the area will also have a place to sit under the trees, Traique Rahman said: “Apart from this, we will try to plant various fruits bearing trees there so that the people of the area can eat fruits.”

Describing the government as the people-friendly one, the Prime Minister said the people of Bangladesh have formed a government by casting their votes in the last election. So, we will work for the people.

“Because of this, we are accountable to the people of this country. That’s why we want to carry out all those programmes for the people. We want to do all those things that will benefit the people,” he said.

He said the number one responsibility of this government is to look after the interests of the country’s people and resolve their problems as well.

Mentioning that the closed factories of the country will be reopened, the Prime Minister said: “Talk less, act more. Now the work is happening, we have to work to build the country. We had said before the election that if the BNP forms the government, we will reopen all the factories that remained closed since long in the country.”

“After the election, I sat with Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir for about five to seven days to find out where the closed factories are. Insha Allah, we will reopen those gradually,” the premier added.

Stating that the government is working to create employment opportunities for youth, he said: “If you remain with us, we will be able to take Bangladesh forward…we will be able to make Bangladesh stand alongside other developed countries. So, I always say one thing, work, work and work. That’s why we will build the country, Bangladesh first.”

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad were present, among others.

The Basia River in Sylhet was excavated first by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1977. The Basia River, which connects the Surma and Kushiara rivers, has been lying dead for long having lost its navigability.

Considering the demands of the locals, the Water Resources Ministry has taken up the re-excavation programme of the Basia River.