The government has taken up a project to develop 20 mid-level towns in the country with financial asstatance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). the Jatiya Sangsad was informed yesterday

Reply ing to a question by Begum Raw slum Ara Hena Deputy Minister for LGRD and C ooperatives Abdul Hye said that under the project. 20 towns uu lading the Barisal dhisuuial headquarters and Munshiganj and Miarisliabari towns, would be devcl oped by improving infrastructure and civk amenities.

The government has no plan to convert the Barisal divisional town into a metropolitan city at this moment, he said, adding, huge grants had, however, been sanctioned for the development of die town.

Responding to Major (retd) Akliteruzzaman. who regretted "the lack of government initiative" to make die Barisal divisional headquarters a metropolitan city despite its recognition as an administrative division, die minister clarified, "Ive not ruled out the possibility of upgrading Barisal to a metropolis. The BNP government will definitely do it in future provided adequate funds are