Dhaka, Sept. 19 -- The 53rd annual planning conference of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) has been started at its own premises in Cumilla district on Saturday.

Md. Tazul Islam, Minister, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh was present at the programme as the Chief Guest while A.K.M. Bahauddin, MP, Cumilla-6 was present as Special Guest.

Md. Rezaul Ahsan, Secretary, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division chaired the inaugural session of the conference while Director General of CIRDAP Dr Cherdsak Virapat was present as Guest of Honour says, a media release.

Md. Shahjahan, Director General of BARD presented of policy paper at the inaugura...