Govt revamps Hill Tracts Committee with Tarique Rahman at helm

The government has reconstituted the National Committee on Chittagong Hill Tracts, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman appointed its chairman, to set priorities on key issues concerning the region, oversee implementation of various initiatives and strengthen coordination on security and law and order.

The 19-member committee was reconstituted through a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Thursday (September 10).

According to the notification, the committee includes nine ministers and advisers, along with the Cabinet secretary, principal secretary to the prime minister, elected MPs from the three hill districts, the principal coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals at the Prime Minister’s Office, and the directors general of the National Security Intelligence and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence.

The principal coordinator of the Armed Forces Division under the Ministry of Defence has been appointed the committee’s chief coordinator, while the DG of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence will serve as member-secretary.

The committee will determine priorities for major Chittagong Hill Tracts-related initiatives and monitor their financial and implementation status. It will also help define the areas of responsibility and operational jurisdictions of security forces, law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies deployed in the region.

Its responsibilities also include formulating a national strategy for the overall development of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and taking necessary measures for its implementation.

The committee may invite officials from any ministry, security force or law enforcement agency to its meetings when necessary. The Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister’s Office will serve as its secretariat.

The notification was signed by Cabinet Division Additional Secretary Md Humayun Kabir by order of the president.