Speakers at a press conference yesterday urged the government to reconsider its decision to buy 150 brand new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) at the cost ofTk 40 crore for the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) since the move would not be cost effective.

Citizens' Rights Movement (CRM) organised the press conference at National Press Club in the city to draw the attention of the chief adviser in this regard.

Speaking at the programme, CRM Secretary General Tushar Rehman said the decision of buying SUVs for the upazila level officers of a developing country would be highly ambitious, he added.

He suggested allocating ten motorbikes to the Upazila level officers, five for the use of UNO office and five for the use of local police stations.

Average fuel consumption of such vehicles is 4 to 5 kilometers per litre while that of a motorbike is 40 kilometers per litre, he added.

Speaking at tire programme, journalist Syed Abu) Maksud said in a developing country like Bangladesh any decision on public spending should be made after talcing its socio-economic conditions into account.

CRM President Prof Masud Rahman, its Adviser Group Captain (retd) Engr Muhammad Alfaz and Jaid Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishak Federation were also present on the occasion.