The government has assigned Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie responsibility for Chattogram district as part of a broader initiative to strengthen administrative oversight, law and order, governance and development activities across the country.

The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Thursday, August 27, assigning 30 ministers, state ministers and whips of the Jatiya Sangsad to oversee and coordinate government activities in different districts.

Under the new arrangement, the ministers and whips will be responsible for monitoring administrative activities in their assigned districts and providing necessary guidance to relevant authorities.

Annie Assigned Responsibility for Chattogram

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has been given responsibility for the port city of Chattogram and its district administration.

His responsibilities will include monitoring and coordinating government activities while working to ensure normal law and order conditions. The notification also calls for attention to controlling drug abuse and illegal trafficking, preventing smuggling and tackling serious and long-pending crimes.

The move comes as the government seeks stronger coordination between political leadership and field-level administration in implementing its priorities.

Focus on Law and Order, Drug Control

According to the notification, the assigned ministers will provide necessary advice to the relevant authorities on maintaining law and order and addressing major security concerns.

They will also monitor efforts to prevent drug abuse, illegal trafficking and smuggling. Tackling serious and old criminal cases has also been included among the areas requiring attention.

The initiative is expected to strengthen coordination between district-level government agencies and the political leadership responsible for overseeing their respective areas.

Monitoring Governance and Development

The ministers, state ministers and parliamentary whips will also play a role in monitoring government development and public welfare programmes.

Their responsibilities include overseeing implementation of the government’s election manifesto, poverty reduction initiatives, employment generation programmes and social safety-net schemes.

They will also coordinate and monitor other development projects and public welfare activities undertaken by government agencies in their assigned districts.

Ministers May Attend District Meetings

The notification allows the assigned ministers, state ministers and whips to participate in relevant meetings in their respective districts when necessary.

They may provide advice and recommendations on administrative, development and public welfare issues based on local needs and circumstances.

The government expects the arrangement to improve coordination between field administration and policymakers while ensuring closer monitoring of development activities.

Stronger Oversight Expected in Chattogram

Chattogram is one of Bangladesh’s most strategically important districts, with its port, industrial areas and major economic infrastructure playing a key role in the national economy.

With Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie assigned responsibility for the district, the new arrangement is expected to bring greater political-level oversight to administrative activities, law and order, anti-drug efforts, anti-corruption initiatives and development programmes.

The latest decision places greater emphasis on coordination, transparency and accountability in the implementation of government programmes across the districts.