State Minister Mir Shah Alam has been assigned responsibility for overseeing government activities in Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram, with a particular focus on law and order, corruption, drug control and good governance.
The decision is part of a wider government arrangement under which 30 ministers, state ministers and whips have been given responsibility for monitoring and coordinating administrative activities at district level across the country.
The Cabinet Division’s Field Administration Coordination Sub-Division issued a gazette notification on Thursday, 27 August, formalising the assignments.
According to the notification, the move comes against the backdrop of allegations that development allocations made to various districts during the previous government were subject to widespread corruption and financial misappropriation. It said some of the allegedly misappropriated funds were transferred abroad, while other funds were used within the country for activities linked to drugs, social deterioration and threats to public and state security.
Against this backdrop, the government has entrusted senior political figures with a supervisory role at district level. Their responsibilities include helping maintain normal law and order, strengthening measures against corruption and drug-related activities, and supporting efforts to ensure good governance.
The notification said the decision was taken in accordance with Article 55(2) of the Constitution and the relevant provisions of the Rules of Business.
Under the new arrangement, the ministers, state ministers and whips will be expected to advise government offices in their respective districts on maintaining public order and addressing security concerns. They will also provide guidance on controlling drug abuse and illicit trafficking, preventing smuggling and tackling longstanding criminal activities.
Their responsibilities extend beyond security and enforcement. They will also monitor the implementation of the government’s election manifesto and review progress in areas such as poverty reduction, employment generation, social safety-net programmes and other development and public welfare initiatives.
For Mir Shah Alam, the assignment covers three districts with distinct administrative and socio-economic challenges: Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram. His role will involve coordination with the relevant government offices and monitoring the implementation of various government measures across the districts.
The gazette also allows the officials assigned to the districts to participate in relevant meetings when necessary and provide advice to local authorities. This is intended to strengthen communication between the central government and field-level administration and allow issues requiring attention to be identified more promptly.
The arrangement places political oversight alongside the existing responsibilities of the district administration. Local government offices and other relevant agencies will continue to carry out their statutory duties, while the ministers, state ministers and whips will monitor progress, offer advice and help coordinate government efforts within their assigned areas.
The latest decision therefore gives Mir Shah Alam a broad supervisory mandate across Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram, covering both public security and the delivery of development and welfare programmes.
