Decision to form Padma, Meghna divisions suspended

The initiative to form two new administrative divisions after the name of the rivers – Padma and Meghna – has been suspended for the current fiscal year due to the government’s austerity policy.

Law Minister Anisul Haque revealed the information while talking to reporters following a meeting of the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reforms (NICAR) on Sunday (November 27).

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Dhaka this afternoon, was chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Confirming the matter, Law Minister Anisul Haque said, “The prime minister has instructed us to suspend the formation of the two new divisions as an austerity measure.”

Cabinet secretary will brief reporters regarding the matter this afternoon, he said.

Earlier last year, the premier expressed her desire to form two new divisions after two rivers- one would be named after Padma and another after Meghna.