Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun addressed discriminationmust be resolved using intellectual programmes. Photo:BSS

RANGPUR, Jan 7, 2025 (BSS) - Dhaka University teacher and social and political analyst Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun, organizer of the Rangpur Division Inequality Elimination Movement, today said that discrimination in Rangpur division must be resolved through intellectual-based programmes.

To achieve this goal, the budget allocation for the industrial sector should be increased, special importance should be given to agriculture to reduce poverty, and the Teesta Master Plan should be implemented through the formation of the Teesta Authority and work should be done for the development of the 25 million people of Rangpur division.
 
He said this at a meeting with media persons held at a hotel here to eliminate inequality in Rangpur division, as part of the Rangpur Division Inequality Elimination Movement National Convention to be held in Dhaka on March 8.
 
A large number of local journalists from print, electronic and online media participated in the exchange of views.
 
The meeting also informed on the progress of the ‘'Multidimensional poverty of Rangpur division, victims of development inequality, infertility in industrialization, and what to do to eliminate budget inequality workshop held here on December 24 last and preparations for the national convention.
 
Dr. Abdullah-al-Mamun said that Northbengal has been subjected to discrimination in all aspects of inequality, including the poverty rate at the district and upazila levels, in 54 budgets of the last 53 years since independence.
 
“That inequality is still ongoing. The Rangpur Division Inequality Elimination Platform is working to eliminate it,” he said, adding that the people want implementation of the Teesta Master Plan through the government's own financing or any other development cooperation.
 
To overcome the geopolitical crisis, any other country or development cooperation organization other than the neighboring country can join this work. People from all walks of life should work together for the development of Rangpur division.
 
Dr. Abdullah-al-Mamun said that due to the policy of keeping India happy and clinging to power, Sheikh Hasina's government had shown extreme failure on many important issues including the Teesta Master Plan and the Teesta River Water Sharing Agreement.
 
“In the past, those who have gone to parliament as representatives of the people have not been able to play a proper role in fulfilling the aspirations of the people. Because there were not a large number of people’s representatives with the people,” he said.
 
He said, “Rangpur division fell behind because there was not so good relation of public representatives with the people.”
 
Rangpur Journalists Union President Salequzzaman Salek, journalists Mohammad Nuruzzaman, Mahbub Rahman Habu, Nazrul Islam Raju, Jewel Ahmed, Siddiqur Rahman, Farhaduzzaman Faruque, Abdur Rashid Jiban, Shah Newaz Joni, Ehsanul Haque Suman, among others, spoke in the open discussion session.
 
At this time, the organization called for the cooperation and suggestions of people from all walks of life of Rangpur division to make the national convention in Dhaka on March 8 a success.