In a session marked by humour and lighthearted bargaining, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain and Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury on Wednesday secured extra time during a parliamentary discussion promising ensuring development projects for the Deputy Speaker’s constituency.

The incident occurred during the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal initially allotted eight minutes for the Health Minister for his speech. However, upon taking the floor, the minister pointed out that others had been granted extensions for various personal reasons.

“Honourable Speaker, you have increased time for some because they offered you tea, and for others because they are your colleagues at the bar,” he said.

Invoking his background as a freedom fighter, Sakhawat Husain added, “I fought in 1971 responding to the call of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. In honour of that, you should double my time.”

In a witty retort, the Deputy Speaker, who was in the chair at that time, laughed and proposed a deal: "Honourable Member, if you equip the two hospitals in my upazila, I will give you two extra minutes."

The Health Minister immediately accepted the proposal, stating, "It is a deal. I give you my word. Now give me the extra time." He was subsequently granted an additional four minutes.

The atmosphere turned even more jovial when Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury took the floor. Originally allotted eight minutes, the minister expressed mock grievance over the "discrimination" in time allocation.

“I am an elderly man, yet you gave me only five minutes (initially), while the Health Minister got nearly 15 minutes because he promised hospitals. We do not want this discrimination, Mr Speaker,” Nitai Roy Chowdhury remarked, drawing roars of laughter from the treasury and opposition benches.

The Deputy Speaker joined in the humour, noting that his constituency lacked a Shilpakala Academy and facilities for ethnic minorities.

“I will give you the Shilpakala Academy. I will provide the musical instruments as well,” the Cultural Affairs Minister promised. Following the pledge, he too was granted additional time to conclude his speech.

The unconventional exchange provided a rare moment of levity in the House, as ministers "traded" development promises for minutes on the floor.