Chattogram Bureau

State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin MP on Saturday vowed to build a corruption-free hill tract region, asserting that the irregularities, plundering, and negligence witnessed before the February 12, 2026 elections will not be tolerated under the current elected government.

He also extended his sincere thanks to the hill tracts' residents, noting that the harmonious co-existence of Pahari and Bengali communities has projected Bangladesh as a "rainbow nation" on the global stage.

The State Minister made these remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of a three-day "Hill Fruit Fair 2026" at the CHT Complex Auditorium on Bailey Road in the capital.

The exposition is being held under the theme "Pahari Pholer Ghran, Boichitromoy Pran" (Aroma of Hill Fruits, Diverse Life).

Highlighting the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Barrister Mir Helal said that the government is prioritizing the infrastructural development and living standards of the CHT region by bridging the gap between the hills and the plains. He pointed out that the previous administration had taken up 1,074 superficial projects under various schemes that failed to bring meaningful development. He assured that the government will reduce such superficial schemes and instead focus on research-backed, realistic development.

The State Minister promised sweeping reforms in the region's education, health, and infrastructure sectors. To improve healthcare, a specialized medical facility for women—focusing on school-going girls, pregnant mothers, and elderly citizens—will be established at the upazila level. He also mentioned that an e-learning system is being integrated into the local education system to ensure students can keep pace with the modern world.

To address the acute drinking water crisis in remote hilly areas, the ministry is implementing projects to utilize surface water. Furthermore, eco-friendly mini cold storages will be constructed through local cooperatives to help farmers preserve their produce. Unsold fruits will be processed into "dry food" for domestic and international markets.

Barrister Mir Helal added that special incentives will be provided to boost the cultivation of high-quality CHT coffee, and Jhum cultivators will receive specialized training to maximize their yields on the same land.

To foster sports and culture, the government plans to construct a dormitory, multipurpose sports and cultural centers in the three hill districts, a sports education institute in Rangamati, and modern "Information Complexes" in Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban.

The inaugural event was chaired by CHT Affairs Ministry Secretary Mohammad Mizanur Rahman. Special guests included Khagrachhari lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, Bandarban lawmaker Saching Prue, and Reserved Seat lawmaker Madhabi Marma. CHT Affairs Ministry Additional Secretary Md. Monirul Islam delivered the welcome speech.

The event was also attended by CHT Development Board Chairman Major General (Retd) Anup Kumar Chakma, Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Agriculturist Kajal Talukdar, Bandarban Hill District Council Chairman Professor Thanzama Lushai, and Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Shefalika Tripura.

A total of 30 stalls from the remote areas of Bandarban, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati are participating in the three-day fair. The exhibition features a wide array of chemical-free seasonal fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, jackfruits, and bananas, alongside rare wild fruits like rosko (blood fruit), rambutan, and wild bael.

The fair will remain open to the public daily from 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM until June 29, featuring traditional cultural performances by indigenous artists every evening.