As the government fails to work up to mark, private initiators should come forward for overall development of the country, he said while speaking as chief guest at an education stipend giving ceremony yesterday.

The function was organised by Chattagram Samity (Chittagong Society) Dhaka to distribute stipends among the meritorious intermediate and honours students of greater Chittagong.

" We have elected the government, so we have the right to criticise it in order to make it constructive and accountable, but we cannot discharge our obligation only by criticising the government," said Younus, also founder of Grameen Bank.

"A shuttle air service between Dhaka and Chittagong is very necessary, and I think instead of pressing the government to initiate it, the private sector can do it," he said, adding, "Money will not be a problem as it is easy to collect it by floating shares."

The ability of government is very limited comparing to collective power of people, Younus said mentioning the collective efforts of his Grameen Bank.

"We started operation of Grameen Bank 30 years ago allocating Tk 856 among 42 women, but last year our bank allocated Tk 4500 crore among 65 lakh woman members across the country," he said.

He said it had been possible only for the collective effort and inner spirit of the members of the bank, Younus said, adding that the bank could not do so if it had wasted time demanding government or other external support.

A total of 100 students received study stipends at the function. Of them, 30 intermediate students got Tk 5000 each while honours level students received Tk 6000 each.

Jamal Uddin Ahmed, chairmen of the advisory committee of Chattagram Samity and Abu Alam Chowdhury, chairman of its executive body, also spoke at the function.