Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a modern multi-storey food warehouse – the first of its kind – at Santahar in Bogra Sunday. The warehouse has the capacity of storing 25,000 tonnes and will preserve food grains by using solar power round the year, reports BSS. The Department of Food constructed the air-conditioned warehouse at a cost of around Tk232.71 crore, with Japan’s financial and technical support. The modernised and powerful internal air-coolers along with other machinery are capable of maintaining the food grain temperature and moisture for a long time. The premier said that the current government had persistently been working for the expansion of food stock. “By 2021, the food storage capacity is expected to grow up to 100%,” she said. The newly-built warehouse would be extremely helpful in storing government food in the Rajshahi region, she hoped. Food Minister Qamrul Islam, Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif, local parliament members and political leaders were present at the programme. The premier also planted a mango sapling on the Santahar warehouse premises and visited other sections of the compound.The premier later in the day attended a mammoth rally at Shantahar Stadium, organised by Adamdighi Upazila Awami League with its President Ansar Ali Mridha in the chair. She urged the people to reelect the Awami League to continue the country's peace, progress and development, saying that all uplift activities would be halted if the BNP-Jamaat nexus came to power. Hasina said that if the Awami League was reelected, development of everybody would be made and their life would be beautiful. "They [BNP-Jamaat] will not give you anything, rather they will eat up everything," she said. The premier said that the people got independence and the country witnessed economic development as the Awami League was voted to power. "I have nothing to lose as I lost my father, mother and brothers. I am working only for you by sacrificing everything and find love and affection among you. So it is my appeal to everybody to give us a scope in future to serve you again and continue the trend of development," she said. Illustrating her government's various steps for development, the premier said that her government had embarked on a mega plan to set up 100 economic zones across the country for industrialisation and for generating massive employment in the country. She mentioned that her government had slashed down poverty rate to 22% from 4%. "Our target is to cut the rate to 15%. We want not a single person to remain poor and homeless, and for that we hope you will cast vote for the Awami League again.” Referring to the repression and torture after the 2001 elections, and rampage and violence from 2013 to 2015 unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat clique, Hasina said that they only knew how to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the countrymen. "Khaleda Zia did not feel any pain, rather she directed her workers to commit such heinous crimes and they executed her order," she said, adding that there would be no place for terrorism and militancy. She requested all including guardians, religious leaders, teachers and students to be united against these evils to maintain peace and development in the country. She said Islam is the religion of peace, harmony and brotherhood and it does not speak of killing of human being. "So I will request all to be united so that militancy and terrorism cannot get any space in the country and we can ensure the country's development in a peaceful environment." Hasina said that her government believed in balanced development and that is why a massive uplift took place in Bogra. The BNP government cut the budgetary allocation for Gopalganj and no development was made in the district. "We believe in balanced development and whatever development took place in Bogra that was during our government," she said. The premier said that her government was establishing universities in every district for ensuring higher education for students. "Such a university will be set up in Bogra and a law to this end is being framed ... whatever commitments we made earlier are being fulfilled, and we keep and will keep our pledges," she said. From the venue, the premier earlier inaugurated an extension part of Nandigram Upazila Complex, Shahjaanpur Thana Bhaban, Integrated Education Programme Building for Visually Impaired Persons, Shibganj Upazila Muktijoddha Complex Bhaban, Sicharpar Cluster Village Project 3, 12 Ashrayan Project at Sariyakandi, Irrigation Programme through Solar Panel at Adamdighi, District Family Planning Office Building, and a 10-bed Mother and Child Welfare Centre at Nungola of Barura Sadar. She also laid the foundation of the construction of Khoisha Kuri Bridge on Sariyakandi Highway, Joybhoga Bridge, Hatfulbari Bridge on Bogra-Sariyakandi Highway, a 10-kilometre rural road at Sonatala, Bogra Press Club Bhaban and Extension part of Sonatala Upazila Council administrative building and its hall room.