Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury hailed Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Tuesday for not proposing reducing the yield rate on savings certificates in the national budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year, reports UNB.
AMA Muhith
"Though I criticise the Finance Minister every year for reducing the yield rate on savings certificates, I would like to thank him this time as he didn't say anything in his budget speech for slashing the interest rate," she said.
Participating in the general discussion on the proposed budget for the 2018-19 financial year in Parliament, Matia also hoped that Muhith will not take any move to reduce the yield rate on the savings tools after the passage of the budget.
Matia Chowdhury
She said Muhith has surely realised that a panic is created among the lower- and middle-income people if any move is taken to reduce the yield rate on the savings certificates as they depend on it for their livelihood.
The agriculture minister said the government recognises that people help the government by giving it loan through the savings certificates.
She greeted the finance minister for placing the national budget for 10 consecutive years, and hoped that people's hopes and aspirations will be reflected in the proposed budget.
Matia also appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for launching the anti-narcotic drive to save the country's young generation from its bad effects.
She came down hard on those who are criticising the anti-drug drive, saying their motive is not good. "They want to destroy the young generation."
The agriculture minister said the country's development will be affected if the young generation cannot be saved from the drug abuse.
She expressed the hope that the Prime Minister will be successful in eliminating the drugs through the current drive as she did against the militants in the past.
Matia alleged that various plots are being hatched ahead of the next general election, and a section of people is trying to destablise the country and ruin the election atmosphere.
She slammed the BNP leaders for their comments that they will not join the next general election without Khaleda Zai since they are participating in the local body elections keeping her in jail.
The agriculture minister also alleged that BNP and its chairperson Khaleda Zia are staging various dramas over her treatment. "It seems there is no other hospital in the country except United Hospital for Khaleda Zia's treatment."
Mentioning that Khaleda has been convicted in a case filed by her relatives for embezzling money of orphans, she said the government cannot set her free. "Khaleda has to be freed either by court or seeking clemency from the President."
Matia said Awami League never came to power through the backdoor and it has no plan to return to power through such a path as it follows the path of democracy.
Taking part in the discussion on the proposed budget, treasury bench member and former Commerce Minister Faruk Khan also alleged that the BNP-Jamaat clique is making various evil designs ahead of the national election.
He said it is now main challenge for the nation to thwart the destructive politics of BNP and Jamaat.
Faruk Khan said Awami League has no reason or issue to engage in talks with BNP. "Go to the Election Commission and hold talks with it if you (BNP) have anything to say about the election."
Opposition MP Khorshed Ara Haque also joined the discussion on the proposed budget, and demanded that the tenure of the current parliament be extended by 10 more years.
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