RPO bill passed amid opposition walkout

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Parliament Tuesday passed seven bills, including the much-talked-about RPO and anti-money laundering ones, in the absence of the BNP-led opposition MPs during the passage of all but one, reports UNB.

The BNP-led alliance lawmakers staged walkout in protest against "depriving them of their privileges of discussing on the bills" that ratified the legislative functions of the non-party interim regime that they dismiss as unconstitutional.

They were present during the passage of the anti-money laundering bill; however, they staged walkout during the passage of the RPO-related bill on election rules.

Members belonging to the 4-party alliance returned after the passage of the bills by roaring 'yes' from the treasury bench in the heavily ruling coalition-dominated House.

The bills that were passed by the voice vote are The Money Laundering Prevention Bill 2009, The Finance (2007-2008 fiscal year) Bill 2009, The Finance (2008-2009 fiscal year) Bill 2009, The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2009, The National Board of Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2009, The Representation of the People Order (RPO) (Amendment) Bill 2009, and The President's (Remuneration and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill 2009.

Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith piloted the four finance-related bills, Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed moved The Representation of the People Order (Amendment) Bill 2009 while Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, in charge of the Cabinet Division in Parliament, piloted The President's (Remuneration and Privileges) (Amendment) Bill 2009.