LG RD and Cooperatives Minister Zillur Rahman yesterday said Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) would be upgraded into a full-fledged directorate. reports BSS.

This would be done for effective functioning of the organisation to ensure development for the rural poor, the minister told the newly-elected executive committee members of the Officers Association of BRDB at a meeting at LG RD Ministry.

The leaders welcomed the government decision and re-' quested quick implementation of the government decision.

During the meeting the delegation also informed the minister about performance of different projects as regards creation of self-employment opportunities to eradicate poverty through distribution of microcredit among the rural people.

The meeting was told the progress of implementation of poverty alleviation programme in 440 thanas by BRDB.

The BRDB would disburse Taka 495.51 crore for microcredit during the current fiscalyear to implement different poverty alleviation projects.

The association president Mohammad Mia led the delegation which included secretary general Shahabul Islam and vice president Mohammad Shaflqur Rahman, joint secretary general Mohammad Habibur Rahman, treasurer Mohammad Saiful Islam, office secretary Mohammad Abdul Malek, members Mohammad Asafudulla, Mohammad Abdul Mannan Sarkar and Rashidul Islam.