STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday directed ruling BNP lawmakers to spend more time in their constituencies and maintain regular contact with local people.

He instructed them to work closely with the administration, monitor development activities and ensure that people can access public services without harassment or delay.

The directives came at a meeting of the BNP parliamentary party at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban ahead of the budget session of the 13th parliament beginning today. Tarique chaired the meeting as the leader of the House.

After the meeting, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni told reporters that Tarique asked all MPs to monitor whether the government’s programmes were being implemented at the field level.

“They have to make sure these are being done. Teachers are not present in schools, people are not getting services in hospitals -- the government does not want this. We have to monitor so that the work is done,” he said.

Tarique also allocated constituencies to 36 reserved women lawmakers.

The meeting discussed education, health, transport, power, law and order, agreements with China, dengue prevention and progress in implementing the government’s priority programmes, The Daily Star has learnt from the meeting attendants.

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