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surveillance, reinforce rapid outbreak detection and response systems, raise public awareness, and improve coordination with national and international partners, he said.

Replying to another query from lawmaker Masum Mostofa, Tarique said an announcement had been made to recruit one lakh health workers, as pledged in the election manifesto of the current government.

Responding to a query from Manjurul Islam MP, the PM said universal health protection would be ensured in light of the “Health for All” policy mentioned in the government’s election manifesto.

The prime minister also told parliament that technical and financial assessments are underway to construct a new barrage on the Teesta river to store water during the dry season.

Responding to a query from Rangpur-4 MP Akhter Hossen, he said a survey for a sustainable and integrated Teesta development plan had already been completed.

He said riverbank protection works covering 42.5 kilometres are underway in five Teesta basin districts at a cost of Tk 230 crore and are scheduled to be completed this month.

Replying to another query from Robiul Awal MP, Tarique said the government’s election manifesto has emphasised combating climate change.

To combat the negative effects of climate change, the government has adopted multifaceted action plans and activities in the water resources sector, including implementation of the Padma Barrage, the Teesta Master Plan, prevention of river erosion, ensuring safety during floods, and reducing salinity in agricultural land, said the PM.

Replying to a query from Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas MP, Tarique said the government is working to gradually increase the use of surface water to reduce pressure on groundwater in all divisional cities, including Dhaka.

He said Dhaka WASA currently sources about 65 to 70 percent of its water from groundwater, while the rest comes from surface water sources such as the Padma, Meghna and Shitalakshya rivers.

As groundwater levels in Dhaka have dropped alarmingly due to excessive extraction, he said water supply from surface sources is being expanded through two purification plants at Gandharbapur on the Meghna River in Rupganj, Narayanganj, and at Sayedabad in Dhaka.

He added that the government aims to ensure supply from surface water sources instead of groundwater in divisional cities by 2030.