Parliament
BD parliamentary team attends PUIC meeting in Algeria
A three-member team of Bangladesh Parliament on Friday participated in the 48th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PUIC) in Algeria.
The head of Bangladesh delegation and also the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md Shahiduzzaman Sarker spoke at the meeting, said a press release here.
He requested the OIC to strengthen its support to Bangladesh over the peaceful repatriation of Rohingyas refugees to Myanmar from Bangladesh.
Read more: Bangladesh seeks OIC’s help to continue Rohingya genocide case
He also raised the Rohingya issue while talking to PUIC general secretary.
Two other members of the Bangladesh team are Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin MP and SM Shahjada MP.
JS Affairs: 1.7 million child workers in country; No shortage of food production; 183 garment factories are green factories
There are some 1.7 million child workers in the country, and 1.2 million of them are engaged in hazardous work.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnuzan Sufian said this in Parliament responding to a tabled question from Awami League MP Habib Hasan.
She said that according to a 2013 survey of the Bureau of Statistics the number of child workers in the country is 1.7 million.
Read more: Zakat Fund Management Bill passed in JS
She also said that as per the survey in 2003, the number of child workers was 3.4 million.
In response to another question of AL MP Abul Kalam Azad, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar said that at present there is no food shortage in the country.
In the last fiscal year, 391.30 lakh metric tonnes of food grains including 380.48 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 10.82 lakh metric tons of wheat were produced.
The minister also claimed that there is no danger of food shortage in the country even in the current financial year.
Read more: Finance Minister places names of top 20 loan defaulters in JS
In response to another question from AL MP M Abdul Latif, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that currently 183 garment factories in Bangladesh have been recognised as green factories from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Will correct if opposition can find my failure: PM Hasina in Parliament
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that she stands ready for correction if the opposition parties can find out any failure of her government.
She said this while responding to a question from Jatiya Party lawmaker Fakhrul Imam during PM’s question hour in Parliament.
“People will judge the successes and failures. It is not my responsibility to judge that. Why should I fail if I work with honesty and specific goals for the welfare of the people? Whether I've success or success, the people will decide,” she said.
Read more: Next stop, Smart Bangladesh: PM lays out renewed vision at BASA meet
“Since you are so interested, please find out my failures, I will correct those," she told the JP lawmaker.
She said that after the formation of the government, she has worked with the desire that the grassroots people will stay well.
“People are getting the benefits now. Elderly people will understand the radical changes that happebed in Bangladesh in the last 14 years,” she said.
But, she said that today's generation will not realise that.
In response to a question from ruling party MP AKM Rahmatullah, the prime minister said that after killing Bangabandhu, late Gen. Ziaur Rahman seized power illegally and freed the war criminals and rehabilitated them.
By changing two clauses of the constitution, Zia allowed them to do politics and gave the right to vote.
“Many war criminals including Ghulam Azam were brought back from Pakistan and given citizenship. Zia made war criminals as advisors and ministers," she said.
Read more: PM directs DCs to increase food production, exercise austerity
She said Zia’s wife Khaleda Zia also gave war criminals place in her cabinet after she came to power.
“It is disgraceful for a nation to patronise war criminals like this. Genuine freedom fighters who did not agree to join hands with Zia were omitted from the list of freedom fighters. They were humiliated as Zia included the non-freedom fighters in the list of freedom fighters. They did not want to honour the real freedom fighters.”
In response to ruling party MP Benazir Ahmed's question, Sheikh Hasina said that the corona pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have affected the global economy.
“Bangladesh is no exception. Along with other overall economic and social negative effects, this has affected the market prices of daily necessities," she admitted.
In reply to a supplementary question of ruling party MP Mozaffar Hossain, the PM said that Bangladesh's garment industry has expanded widely, but there is difficulties finding technical persons in there.
“Many people are brought from abroad and given jobs," she said.
In this connection, she said, her government has established textile universities and colleges In order to create skilled manpower in this sector.
The prime minister said that at the moment the government has no plan to create any new cadre in the BCS. “But may consider it in future.”
Zakat Fund Management Bill passed in JS
The Zakat Fund Management Bill -2023 was passed in Parliament on Wednesay, aiming to make Zakat (obligatory charity in Islam) an important tool to eradicate poverty from the country.
As per the proposed Bill, it also aims to engage a zakat receiver in any profession or activity to make the person self-reliant and rehabilitated.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote.
The proposed 'Zakat Fund Management Act, 2023' will replace the Zakat Fund Ordinance, 1982.
Also read: JS passes bill to introduce Universal Pension Scheme
The Bill said that there will be a Zakat Board consisting of 13 members. Religious Affairs Minister or State Minister will be the Chairman of that Board. Other members are-the Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry, an official from the ministry with minimum joint secretary level, an official of the Finance Ministry with minimum joint secretary level, an official with minimum joint secretary level from the legislative and parliamentary affairs division, government selected five eminent islamic scholars (Fakih), two representatives from country’s trade body organisation and the Director-General of the Islamic Foundation.
Their appointment will be valid for three years and they will hold at least two meetings per year.
A fund will be formed called the Zakat Fund which shall consist of voluntary payment of Zakat by the Muslims.
After the law is enacted, anyone from home and abroad will be able to give zakat at any government scheduled bank.
The moneys credited to the Fund shall be kept in non-interest bearing accounts of scheduled banks.
As per the objective of the Bill, Islam is a complete religion and way of life. Zakat is an important provision for the socio-economic welfare and security of people. Allah has made Zakat obligatory upon a compliant Muslim who possesses a Nisab amount of wealth as determined by the Shari'ah.
Zakat is a tool for poverty alleviation and rehabilitation. Zakat is not a voluntary donation, rather Zakat is a fixed portion of the wealth of the rich to be paid to the poor and needy by Allah.
Although zakat system has been in operation at the individual level for a long time in this country, the desired benefits were not being obtained from zakat due to various reasons.
Poverty was once possible to be eradicated throughout the Muslim world through the system of Zakat.
Therefore, the government formed the Zakat Board by enacting The Zakat Fund Ordinance, 1982 for the purpose of proper utilisation of Zakat and the permanent welfare of the destitute Muslims according to the provisions of Islam.
The Zakat Fund Management Bill -2023 was placed in parliament in order to repeal the military regime ordinance in line with a verdict of the High Court.
Finance Minister places names of top 20 loan defaulters in JS
The total amount of debt to the top 20 defaulters is Tk 19,283.93 crore while the amount of defaulted loan is Tk 16,587. 92 crore.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal divulged the amount in parliament on Tuesday responding to a tabled question from ruling Awami League MP Shahiduzzaman Sarker.
The finance minister placed the list the names of top 20 loan defaulters, amount of total debt and the amount of defaulted loans to them.
He also informed the House that the total number of defaulters in the country is 7,86,065.
According to the list, among the top 20 loan defaulters, the debt status of CLC Power Company Limited is Tk 1,732.92 crore while their defaulted debt is 1,649.44 crore.
The debt status and amount of defaulted loan of 19 others are: Western Marine Shipyard Ltd, Tk 1,855.39 crore, defaulted debt, 1529.74 crore; Remex Footwear Ltd, Tk 1,077.63 crore, all those amount are defaulted loans; Rising Steel Company Ltd, 1,142.76 crore, defaulted debt, Tk 990.28 crore; Mohammad Elias Brothers (Pvt.) Ltd, Tk 965.60 crore, all those amount are defaulted loans.
Rupali Composite Leather Wire Ltd.'s status and amount of defaulted loans are the same. Their defaulted debt is Tk 873. 29 lakh.
Crescent Leathers Products Ltd.'s status and amount of defaulted loans is Tk 855.22 crore.
The status and amount of defaulted loans of Quantum Power Systems Ltd. is Tk 811.33 crore.
The debt status of Saad Musa Fabrics Ltd. is Tk 1,131.83 crore, the amount of their defaulted loans is Tk 776.63 crore.
The status of amount of BR Spinning Mills Ltd. and the amount of defaulted loans is Tk 721 Crore 43 Lakh.
The debt status of SA Oil Refinery Ltd. is Tk 1,172.69 crore. The amount of their defaulted loans is Tk 703.53 crore.
Debt status of Maisha Property Development Ltd. is Tk 686.14 crore. The amount of their defaulted loans is Tk 663.18 crore.
Read more: JP’s Rustum Ali Faraji blasts Finance Minister for his silence on state of economy
Debt status of Radium Composite Textile Ltd. is Tk 770.48 crore. The amount of their defaulted loans is Tk 660.42 crore.
Debt status of Samannaz Super Oil Ltd. is Tk 1,130.68 crore. The amount of their defaulted loans is Tk 651.7 crore.
Manha Precast Technology Ltd.'s debt status and defaulted debt amount is Tk 647.16 crore.
Asian Education Ltd.'s debt status is Tk. 653 Crores. The amount of their defaulted loans is Tk 635.94 crore.
Debt status of SM Steel Re-Rolling Mills Ltd. is Tk 888.71 crore. Their defaulted loan amount is 630.26 crore.
The debt status of Apollo Steel Complex Ltd. is Tk 872.72 crore. The amount of their defaulted loans is Tk 623.34 crore.
Debt Status of Ehsan Steel Re-Rolling Ltd. is Tk 624.27 crore. Their defaulted loans amount is Tk 590.23 crore and the debt status of Siddiqui Traders is Tk 670.68 crore while the amount of their defaulted loans is 541.20 crore.
In response to a question from reserved seat lawmaker from ruling party Nazma Akhtar, the finance minister told the parliament that there is no plan to waive interest on agricultural loans.
Mentioning the reason for this, the minister said that banks give loans to farmers with money collected from depositors. As depositors have to be paid interest, it is not possible for the bank to waive the interest on the loan given to the farmers.
Responding to a question from lawmaker Habibur Rahman, Kamal said that no loan has been received so far from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the current financial year (2022-23) while negotiations with the IMF regarding a loan are ongoing.
“A loan of 300 million US dollars has been received from the World Bank in the current financial year. This loan is repayable in 30 years with a grace period of five years,” he said.
Read more: 1st quarter performance of FY22-23 budget satisfactory: Finance Minister
Replying a question from the ruling party lawmaker elected from Chattogram Md Abdul Latif's question, the minister said that the Japanese government has released 921.61 million US dollars for the overall development of Bangladesh till December of the current financial year.
To a question of Jatiya Party lawmaker Syed Abu Hussain referring to the fact that the tax revenue was less than the target in the last financial year, Kamal said that the desired revenue collection has failed due to the post-Covid economic recession, Russia-Ukraine war, global monetary policy and austerity policy.
In response to another question of Latif, he highlighted the various initiatives of the government to reduce the dollar crisis in the parliament.
He informed that domestic banking units (local banks) have been given the right to raise foreign currency funds from their offshore banking operations, which will remain in force till June 30, 2023.
In order to ensure a sufficient supply of edible oil, chickpeas, pulses, peas, onions, spices, sugar and dates at a bearable level during the month of Ramadan, all these products have been given a 90-day delay payment system to import these products, said the finance minister. It will remain in force till March 31, 2023.
He said that with the aim of facilitating trade with China, the opportunity to trade with the country’s currency has been provided.
Parliament now a one-party club: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government has turned the Jatiya Sangsad into a 'one-party club' by destroying the country’s electoral system.
“They (govt) have destroyed all the democratic institutions. Is it a Parliament that they have formed? They’ve created a one-party club. It’s a club of Awami League,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion meeting the BNP Secretary General also said the government has ruined the electoral system to cling to power by force.
Stating that the electoral system is the gateway of democracy, he said the Parliament and cabinet are supposed to be formed to run the country through a credible election. “But they've destroyed the electoral system. People now do not go to cast their votes.”
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has also destroyed the state structure by hanging onto power through a ‘unilateral’ election with 154 uncontested MPs and through vote robbery and taking votes the night before the polling date. “They have taken all steps to take all the state machinery to their favour.”
Under the current circumstances of the country, he said their party placed a 27-point proposal to reform the state and fix the state institutions. “The 27-point outline is BNP’s dream and we’ll explain it before people. One can never succeed without a dream. We’ll move forward with the dream.”
Bangladesh Sammalita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme titled “The 27-Point Framework for State Reform: Explanation and Analysis” at the Jatiya Press Club. On December 19, BNP announced the 27-point framework for state reform.
Fakhrul said their party has been able to create a mass wave of people against the government through their recent 10 divisional rallies and other programmes. "The stormy wave that has begun will wash away the current regime since people are not with them.”
Read more: 5 BNP MPs’ resignation: Election to vacant seats within 90 days, EC says
He said the first demand of their 10-point proposal is the resignation of the Awami League government by dissolving the Parliament for constituting a caretaker government, which will oversee next election.
After that election, the BNP leader said they will form a national government with the partners of their simultaneous movement to implement the 27-point outline.
He urged the BNP leaders and activists not to be frustrated as they are fighting to restore democracy and people’s lost rights, and to protect the country from misrule and fascism. “Why would we be disappointed? We are being successful, and we are moving forward. Hundreds of our leaders and workers went to jail. I have never seen any type of despair on their faces.”
Fakhrul said they have been in an imbalanced fight since their opponents are very powerful having the entire state apparatus, guns, and pistols in their hands. “Indiscriminately they attack us using those and then file cases against us.”
He said a Swechchasebak Dal leader activist Mokbul was killed in police action on December 7 last in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. “On the contrary, a case was filed against our 450 leaders and workers. So, the bottom line is, we have to protect our existence and save our people.”
The BNP leader also alleged that the government has politicized the entire judicial system, depriving people of justice.
He bemoaned that the media also now cannot enjoy the freedom as they are being forced to exercise self-censorship. “One detective has been attached to every media house. They dictate what to write, create headlines and what to prioritise and what not to prioritise.”
Read more: 5 BNP MPs submit resignation to JS Speaker
Fakhrul, however, praised journalists for what he said and their efforts to present the truth amid so many limitations. “Can you imagine that the editors are facing cases, including for murder charges?”
1918 pilgrims perform hajj at government's cost since 2014: State Minister
State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan on Sunday told Parliament that a total of 1981 people were sent to Saudi Arabia to perform the holy hajj at the government's cost since 2014.
He said this replying to a tabled question from Awami League lawmaker Didarul Alam after the day's sitting of the House started with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair in the afternoon.
The state minister however said none was sent to hajj in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Also Read: Biman to use own aircraft for Hajj flights this year
In 2014, the government started a programme to send a certain number of Muslims to Saudi Arabia for performing hajj at lowest package price, he said
Among 1918 who performed hajj at government cost, 125 people were sent in 2014, 268 in 2015, 283 in 2016, 334 in 2017, 340 in 2018, 314 in 2019 and 254 in 2022.
Bill placed in JS to pave a way for govt to adjust gas, electricity without public hearing
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (amendment) Bill was placed in Parliament on Sunday, aiming to create scope for the government fix the prices of power and energy without public hearing.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid placed the Bill in the House and it was sent to the respective scrutiny committee for further examination.
The committee was asked to submit its report within five days.
Earlier, Law minister Anisul Huq placed the “Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (amendment) Ordinance, 2022” in Parliament on Jan 5.
President Abdul Hamid promulgated the ordinance on December 1 last amending the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003.
Also Read: DPP being reframed to build Turag and Keraniganj townships: Sharif Ahmed
The law ministry issued a gazette on December 1 on the amendment that allows government to adjust the prices of gas and electricity besides fuel oil.
Previously, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources used to adjust the prices of fuel including diesel, octane, kerosene and petrol without any hearing but the prices of gas and electricity were adjusted by the BERC through hearings.
With the amendment of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Act-2003, the power ministry will not require to hold a hearing to decide new prices for gas and electricity.
The BERC is an autonomous body which was established based on the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Act 2003, aiming at improving power and energy infrastructure in Bangladesh. The law was amended thrice in the past.
The Cabinet on November 28 approved an amendment to the BERC Ordinance 2022 to empower the government to set fuel tariff on its own under special circumstances without waiting for the commission’s public hearing and decision.
DPP being reframed to build Turag and Keraniganj townships: Sharif Ahmed
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (RAJUK) is working to reframe development project proposals (DPPs) to develop two townships in Turag and Keraniganj as part of step to reduce the growing pressure of population in Dhaka city.
State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed said this in Parliament on Thursday, replying to a tabled question from Awami League MP Mohammad Habib Hasan (Dhaka-18).
Read more: Rajuk on its way to redevelop centuries-old Old Dhaka
In the scripted answer, Sharif said the initiatives were taken to undertake two projects titled ‘Conservation of Flood Flow Zone of Turag River and Compact Township Development Project' and 'Waterfront Smart City Project’ in Keraniganj.
He said the feasibility studies on the two projects have been completed. “In line with the recommendations of the feasibility studies, the reframing works of DPPs of the two projects now continue,” he said.
Besides, the implementation works of a satellite town project continue to reduce the pressure of population in the capital, said the state minister.
The infrastructural development and plot allotment of the project titled ‘Purbachal New Town’ has been completed, while the construction works for other civic facilities are near completion, he added.
Read more: RAJUK lauches work on deep tube wells for Purbachal New Town project
In reply to a scripted question from AL lawmaker M Abdul Latif (Chattogram-11), the state minister said the National Housing Authority has a plan to construct some 3,816 residential flats under seven residential flat construction projects in order to provide the residential facilities at low cost in Dhaka.
Besides, the authority has already implemented 10 residential flat construction projects in Mirpur and Mohammadpur in Dhaka and constructed 4,358 flats, he said.
The construction of 3,611 residential flats under seven other projects continue in the capital city, said Sharif.
3,58,125 posts vacant in ministries, divisions and directorates, State Minister tells JS
There are 3,58,125 vacant posts in various ministries, divisions and directorates of the government.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain on Wednesday said responding to a tabled question from ruling party MP elected from Mymensingh Kazim Uddin Ahmed at parliament.
Farhad said that according to the latest published statistics of civil officers and staff-2021 book (published in June, 2022) from the Ministry of Public Administration, there are 3,58,125 vacant posts in various ministries/departments/directorates/departments and government offices under the government.
Read more: Bill incorporating max 10 years’ jail for leaking PSC exam questions passed in parliament
Among them, 43,336 posts of first class officers, 40,561 second class, 1,51, 548 of the third class and 1,22,680 fourth class.
Out of these, 1,929 have been appointed through the 40th BCS and 3,966 assistant surgeons have been appointed through the 42nd Special BCS (Health) cadre.
He said that the 41st BCS oral exam is ongoing, the 43rd BSS written exam answer sheet evaluation is going on and 44th written exam ended on January 11.
The junior minister said that the probable date of the 45th BCS preliminary test is scheduled in the second week of March.
He said that the appointment to the vacant posts in government offices is an ongoing process.