Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu today said his ministry is bringing renewed dynamism to the rural economy through various development and social safety-net programmes.

“Through these programmes such as KABIKHA (Food for Work), KABITA (Cash for Work), TR (Test Relief), GR (General Relief), VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) and canal excavation is being carried out at the grassroots level to reach financial flow to marginalized people,” he said.

The minister said this while inaugurating the Conference-26 of the District Relief and Rehabilitation Officers (DRRO) and Project Implementation Officers (PIO) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh here as the chief guest.

The minister said canal excavation is one of the present government’s electoral commitments. The programme will bring significant changes to the rural life by facilitating cultivation during the dry season and water drainage during the monsoon. The programme will also create opportunities for fish cultivation in canals and tree plantation across the river banks.

In this connection, he said Prime Minister will formally inaugurate the Model Canal programme on November 19, 2026.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M. Iqbal Hossain attended the event as a special guest.

He urged the officials to remain vigilant so that no allocation under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) is returned and that public funds are not wasted.

Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Saiful Islam presided over the programme where Director General of the Department of Disaster Management Rezwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address.

The DRROs and PIOs from across the country participated in the conference.