State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam said Bangladesh will hold five types of local government elections within the current fiscal year. He said Tk6,000 crore has been allocated in the budget for the elections. The announcement followed a Tuesday morning meeting at the Secretariat with Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Moller, Local Government Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan, and the state minister.

Shah Alam said that, subject to the prime minister’s approval, the ministry will meet the Election Commission next week to discuss the local government polls. He said the Election Commission will determine the election schedule and dates. The ministry will brief the public on the elections after its discussions with the commission.

The meeting also addressed Danish support for water supply in the capital. Denmark will assist completion of the third phase of the Saidabad water treatment plant project, contributing Tk4,500 crore to the Tk16,000 crore facility. Of that amount, Tk1,500 crore will be a grant and Tk3,000 crore will be repaid by the government in stages over 20 years. Denmark will also provide Tk100 crore to assist Rohingyas.