The government has assigned State Minister Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin responsibility for the three hill districts of Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati as part of a new district-level oversight and coordination initiative.

The decision is part of a broader government move to assign 30 ministers, state ministers and parliamentary whips responsibility for monitoring and coordinating government activities across all 64 districts.

A notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani on Thursday, August 27, distributed the district-level responsibilities among the ministers, state ministers and whips.

Mir Helal Gets Three Hill Districts

State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, who serves at the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, has been assigned responsibility for Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati.

Under the notification, he will oversee and coordinate government activities in the three hill districts while providing necessary advice to relevant government agencies.

The assignment gives the state minister a direct role in monitoring administrative activities and development initiatives in the strategically important Chittagong Hill Tracts region.

Focus on Law and Order and Governance

According to the notification, the ministers and other political representatives assigned to different districts will monitor law and order and advise local authorities when necessary.

Their responsibilities include efforts to control drug abuse and smuggling, prevent illegal trafficking and combat serious and long-pending crimes.

The assigned officials will also work to strengthen good governance, transparency and accountability in government activities at the district level.

Development and Public Welfare Under Review

The district-level representatives will monitor the implementation of government development programmes and public welfare initiatives.

They will also oversee activities related to poverty reduction, employment generation, social safety-net programmes and other commitments outlined in the government’s election manifesto.

The arrangement is intended to improve coordination between central policymakers and field-level administration while ensuring that development programmes are implemented effectively.

May Join District-Level Meetings

The notification allows the ministers, state ministers and parliamentary whips to participate in various district-level meetings when necessary.

They may provide recommendations and advice on administrative issues, law and order, development projects and public welfare programmes.

For the three hill districts, the assignment places Mir Helal in a key coordinating role covering Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati.

Other District Responsibilities

The government has distributed responsibilities for the remaining districts among senior political figures.

Among them, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud has been assigned Rajshahi and Natore, while Dr Abu Zafar Mohammad Zahid Hossain will oversee Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Panchagarh.

Abdul Awal Mintoo has been given Lakshmipur, Nitai Roy Chowdhury Chuadanga, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir Habiganj and Ariful Haque Chowdhury Moulvibazar.

Mohammad Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has been assigned Chattogram, while other ministers and parliamentary representatives have received responsibilities for districts across the country.

Earlier Parliamentary Responsibility

The latest district-level assignment comes days after another government decision concerning parliamentary responsibilities.

On August 24, the government distributed responsibilities among ministers for conducting parliamentary affairs related to different ministries and divisions in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.

Under that arrangement, State Minister Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin was assigned parliamentary responsibilities in the absence of the ministers of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.

The latest notification further expands his field-level responsibilities by placing three hill districts under his oversight.

The government expects the district-based arrangement to strengthen coordination, accountability and monitoring of administrative and development activities across the country.