<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the elected local government representatives to play effective role in overcoming global crisis arisen out of the Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine war.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>"We are trying our best so that our people don't have to suffer amid the global crisis. As elected representatives, you also have some responsibilities and you have to discharge the duties," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister said this while administering oath to newly elected chairmen of Noakhali and Chapainawabganj District Councils Abdul Wadud Pintu and Ruhul Amin respectively. They were elected in separate polls on November 14 and 28.</div><div><br></div><div>Nineteen elected councilors of the two district councils were sworn in by Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister stressed the need for boosting food production bringing every inch of fallow lands under cultivation across the country to face any possible food crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>"If all the fallow lands across the country can be brought under cultivation, then, there will be no food crisis in the country," she added.</div><div><br></div><div>In this regard, she has sought cooperation from the elected representatives to make people aware of growing own food.</div><div><br></div><div>She also asked people to show austerity in every sector and make savings to overcome the global crisis, reminding them prices of everything particularly imported items went up globally that created a global economic crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina asked the public representatives to ensure proper use of the local development fund and quality works of the local projects for balanced development of the country.</div><div><br></div><div>"As elected representatives you have to work in ensuring proper use of allocated local funds so that no area lags behind in terms of development," she added.</div><div><br></div><div>The prime minister once again asked the public representatives to work for the welfare of the people.</div><div><br></div><div>"I urge you all to work for the welfare of the people," she told the elected public representatives.</div><div><br></div><div>She also asked them to look after the works of the ongoing projects to make sure their quality.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier, as well, called upon the public representatives to prepare a list of the homeless and landless people across the country irrespective of political affiliation as part of the government's move that none will remain homeless and landless.</div><div><br></div><div>As many as 35 lakh landless and homeless people have, so far, been provided with houses across the country free of cost, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Swapan Bhattacharjee were present on dias. ‍Source: BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>