Planning Minister MA Mannan on Sunday pledged to take a comprehensive action plan for the development of the south-west coast.

“The government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes in balanced development. So like other areas of the country, she wants to ensure the development of the coastal belt. That’s why, various projects are being taken up, including construction of sustainable embankment and solution of water problem,” Mannan said while addressing a seminar on ‘Coastal Development at Disaster Risk: Special allocation Needs in the National Budget’ at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. 

Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, coordinator of the Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement, presided over the seminar organised by the non-governmental development organization Faith in Action and the civic organization Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement.

Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, former President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), delivered the keynote address at the seminar.

Akhtaruzzaman Babu (MPKhulna-6), Sharifuzzaman, General Secretary of Citizens' Solidarity,  Moniruzzaman Mukul, General Secretary of Scan, Nripen Vaidya, Executive Director of Faith in Action, Mostafa Kamal Akand of Coast Foundation, Sakila Parveen, Secretary of Sports and Culture of Dhaka Journalists Union and Basanti Rani Mandal, a sufferer of coastal disaster from Khulna took part in the seminar.

Demanding an increase in allocation for various projects in coastal development, lawmaker Babu said that although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is sincere, allocation is not being given in coastal projects as required.

“Allocation for embankment construction and potable water projects is not enough,” he said.

The cabinet declared Khulna-Satkhira a disaster risk area but it was not taken into consideration while adopting projects, he added.