We want to see a human being as a human being. May be they didn't want to live here then, but where will they go now? Their next generations were born in this country. We have to do something for them.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government plans to provide a better life for stranded Biharis in the country on humanitarian grounds, although the previous generation had opted for Pakistani citizenship after Bangladesh's independence.

"We want to see a human being as a human being. May be they didn't want to live here then, but where will they go now? Their next generations were born in this country. We have to do something for them," she said.

Hasina said this while addressing an inaugural programme of road infrastructure and drainage system construction and development (phase-1) of the newly created 18 wards of Dhaka North City Corporation.

The programme was held at Kanchkura High School field of ward 44 under DNCC while the PM joined it from Gono Bhaban.

Talking about stranded Biharis, Hasina said not only in Dhaka, Biharis are living in various areas of the country.

"They wanted to go to Pakistan and have Pakistani citizenship after Bangladesh's independence. But Pakistan never accepted them," she recalled.

"They are now living in Bangladesh with their children and grandchildren. The living conditions are inhumane -- in congested spaces at Geneva Camps," she said.

"I want to arrange good accommodation for them and engage them in jobs that utilise their skills," she said. She said this cannot be done in Dhaka, and a convenient place is needed where there are industries or scope of jobs for them.

She also said communication system in the country has improved a lot. "We are developing rail, road and air communications, people can easily go home after work," she said.

Hasina said with her personal initiative she identified 10-bigha of land in Gulshan area where a playground will be developed. "Nothing else, only playground," she said firmly.

The PM again requested people to maintain austerity in using electricity and water as the government is providing a huge amount of money as subsidy for these utilities.