Mayor of Dhaka Mohammad Hanif has urged all to rise above party politics and work for development of the country

We have been too much political and now it is necessary to rise above partisan interests that are hindering the national development." the Mayor told a discussion meeting organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at the Chamber building yesterday.

"We must check any unhealthy trend in the national politics." he said. "Otherwise, we will proceed towards an uncertain future."

Speaking as chief guest at the discussion meeting on "Industrialisation. Expansion of Trade and Commerce and Urbanisation.” Hanif said appropriate plans must be formulated for the development of the city as well as the country. These plans should not change with the change of govern-■tent. He regretted that the practice in our country was to abandon and identify as bad everything® done by the past government.

We must develop a mentality of recognising the good works of others.” he said. “1

think the governance by Bangabandhu, Zia, Ershad and Khaleda should be evaluated from a non-partisan point of view."'

Similarly, he said, their failures should also be criticised. "Tolerance is a must for people-oriented politics." the mayor noted.

Terming terrorism the main obstacle' to industrialisation. Hanif said we would fail to attract foreign investments unless the political and labour unrest was checked. "Deterioration of law and order was also hampering investments by the local entrepreneurs, he added.

About terrorist activities in the city, the mayor said that he had formed a 20- member anti terrorism committee in each of the 90 wards in the City. Headed by the respective ward commissioner, the committees were identifying the terrorists, he said and added these bodies could not succeed unless the government cooperated with them.

The mayor recalled that he had met the Prime Minister to seek increased fund for the development of the city. "I was given assurance but 1 am yet to receive any help.”

About unplanned toad-digging. that is causing immense sufferings to the city-dweller*, the mayor said that coordination of the activities of the Rajuk, WASA. DESA and the T and T Board was a must. "I contacted the higher authorities on the issue but did not receive any positive response," he told the meeting.

Turning various problems facing the city people, the mayor alleged that he was not getting cooperation from the government. He would soon hold a p.ess conference to explain his position, he added.

Chaired by DCCI President A Rob Choudhury, the meeting was also addressed by other chamber leaders including Alhaj Abdus Salam, F K Choudhury. Md Yunus. Mesbahud-din Ahmed. Tawfiq AU. Fakhrul Islam Munshi and M A Momen.

The DCCI chief suggested a long-term plan to resolve the city problems. He also proposed the formation of a task force comprising those concerned to resolve the problems of traffic Jam in city streets.