The proposals for two new administrative divisions named 'Padma' and 'Meghna' have been put on hold for the time being.
Two new administrative divisions named 'Padma' with five districts of Greater Faridpur and 'Meghna' with three districts of Greater Comilla and three of Noakhali are currently not being formed.
The proposal for forming the new divisions was postponed at a meeting a of the National Implementation (NICAR) on Administrative Restructuring Committee attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who virtually joined the meeting from her office on Sunday.
The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque said that due to the government's cost-cutting policy, the decision of the two new divisions has been postponed. The rest of the agenda was approved in the meeting.
On October 21 and December 7 last year, the Prime Minister had announced that Comilla division will be named after the Meghna river and Faridpur division will be named after the Padma river.
The five districts of Greater Faridpur include Faridpur, Shariatpur, Rajbari, Gopalganj and Madaripur. On the other hand, the three districts of Greater Comilla are Brahmanbaria and Chandpur and the three districts of Greater Noakhali are Noakhali, Feni and Laxmipur. So, the government has backed away from this decision for the time being, keeping the upcoming parliamentary elections on priority list.
The creation of the two division would cost at least taka 2000 crore initially. Also, at least 28 new offices would be needed in each divisions. Those offices would require many logistic support and manpower. In the current economic situation, the government is giving importance to the allocation of funds for development work.