DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the authorities concerned to form a separate authority in ensuring proper and planned use of the country’s land property.

The premier, also ruling Awami League president, made the directive in a meeting of national land management committee at her office.

Several decisions, including ‘Village Improvement Act’ for infrastructural development at villages especially about planned residences, ‘Town Improvement Act-1953’ for planned urbanization were adopted to ensure proper use of land of the country.

Press Secretary to the premier AKM Shamim Chowdhury was briefing journalists after the meeting.

He further said the premier put emphasis on proper use of lands for more production in ensuring country’s food security.

The prime minister also underscored the need for constituting an ‘authority’ upto the upazila level to ensure proper use of lands, he added.

According to Sheikh Hasina, he said, no fertile land can be used in industrial purposes rather industries would be set up in EPZ areas.

Shamim Chowdhury also said that the premier directed to construct roads in the same manner so that cultivable lands, aqueducts and environment can be saved.

She also said no forest can be used for constructing industrial farms, he quoted Hasina as saying.

Sheikh Hasina, in the meeting, also encouraged about construction of multi-storey buildings in a planned way to save lands.

Rail minister and secretary were included in the national land committee.

BDST: 1850 HRS, FEB 25, 2015