Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday proposed in Parliament the formation of a 10-member joint committee, seeking five names from the opposition to work together on finding ‘rational solutions’ to the country’s ongoing energy crisis in the national interest.
The proposed body will be headed by Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku and include five members each from the treasury and opposition benches.
“We have decided to form a five-member committee from our side. I request the Leader of the Opposition to provide five names so that the 10-member committee can sit together and discuss the issues,”the Prime Minister told the House.
He said the government will seriously consider any recommendations made by the committee and will take effective steps to implement them if they were found to be feasible.
Referring to a proposal raised by the Opposition Leader a day earlier, the Prime Minister said both sides agreed to work together to solve the country’s ongoing situation.
Describing it (energy crisis) as a global problem, he said the problem is affecting many countries.
The Leader of the House said the Opposition Leader expressed his concern about this in his speech (Wednesday) and proposed on his behalf that he has some suggestions and the government and opposition parties can work together on those issues.
“I said in my speech that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is always ready to hold any discussion with anyone in the interest of the country and the people of the country,” he said.
From the government side, the proposed members include Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, and MPs ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan (Laxmipur-4), Moinul Islam Khan (Manikganj-2 and Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu (Shariatpur-3).
In response, Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman welcomed the initiative, thanking the Prime Minister for taking the matter positively.
He said they would place their nominated names soon.
“We hope Parliament will become the centre for resolving national issues. This is a new beginning for this House,” he said adding that the opposition would soon submit its five names.
As Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad asked the Leader of the House who would be the chairman of the proposed 10-member committee, Tarique Rahman proposed the name of the energy minister.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmad expressed hope that the opposition would provide the names quickly, noting that the current parliament session is set to go into recess by the end of the month.
He said the move has created optimism among people, adding that cooperation between the government and opposition can help resolve national challenges effectively.