JS panel call for strict monitoring against substandard construction materials

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief on Tuesday recommended strict monitoring of construction projects to prevent contractors from using substandard materials.

The recommendation was made at the committee’s first meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by committee chairman Munsi Rafiqul Alam, MP.

The committee stressed that project officials must perform their duties with honesty, dedication and accountability and recommended ensuring proper distribution of relief, assistance and allocations, and keeping cyclone and disaster shelters clean and operational.

The committee also called for an assessment of the country’s preparedness to deal with earthquakes, particularly in Dhaka and other major cities. It asked the ministry to present a report on the existing preparedness and brief it the next meeting.

The committee recommended taking effective measures to ensure that early warnings reach people in disaster-prone areas promptly. It also directed the ministry to prepare district-wise lists of cyclone and disaster shelters and volunteers and submit them at the next meeting, with copies to be provided to local MPs.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister M Iqbal Hossain, and committee members Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury, Mosammat Shammi Akhter, SA Jinnah Kabir, Nadia Pathan Papon, ATM Azharul Islam and Muhammad Ali Asghar attended the meeting. The ministry secretary, senior officials and heads of agencies and directorates under the ministry were also present.