Maintain austerity to face Covid 2nd wave

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday again directed the government officials to refrain from unnecessary spending of public money as she expressed the fear that a second wave of COVID-19 might hit in the coming days, reports agencies.

"There's an apprehension that COVID-19 pandemic might hit again, because many countries including [some in] Europe are suffering from this pandemic again. We all have to remain safe from now on," she said at a programme where she handed-over the national standard to ten units and organisations of Bangladesh Army.

She joined the programme in Savar Cantonment virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.

She said that the government has announced a budget of Tk 5.68 trillion for the 2020-21 fiscal which was a very tough job due to the COVID-19 pandemic where many countries were suffering from severe economic constraints.

"We've given the budget defying all odds. We said that everyone has to remain cautious regarding expending public money, because if coronavirus hits again massively then we'll need a huge amount of money, we'll have to help the people again," she said.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said that the government has to provide treatment, procure medicines, maybe more doctors and nurses will be needed.

"Considering these, we need to maintain austerity, we must not spend even a single paisa extra without any need. We've to take this step keeping an eye on the future," she said.

The prime minister also put emphasis on continuing the production of food so that the food crisis does not hit Bangladesh.

She said that many countries are suffering from food shortage amid the coronavirus pandemic. "But in Bangladesh, we made the right decision at the right time. As a result, we aren't facing that crisis," she said.

Saying that there is an apprehension that coronavirus might hit again, the Prime Minister urged all to maintain food production like the previous times.

She briefly described various steps of the government taken at the initial stage of coronavirus in the country. "We all have to work so that we can face any sort of calamity," she said.

The Prime Minister said that the Army is the asset of the country and the symbol of trust and confidence.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has been working to transform Bangladesh Army into a time-befitting, well-trained and modern technology and education based force to make it capable enough to face the 21st century's geopolitical and military challenges.

"We have undertaken necessary programmes to build the army to be more efficient to face the geopolitical and military challenges of the 21st century," she said.

She simultaneously said they have adopted the "Forces Goal-2030" in accordance with the "Defence Policy" taken by the Father of the Nation in 1974 to build a time-befitting, well-equipped, and modern technology and knowledge based army to keep pace with any force of the world as the Bangladesh Army has been working with other global modern forces in the UN (United Nation) peace keeping missions.

On behalf of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed handed over the national standard (national flag) to the respective commanders of 1,3,6,8 Engineering Battalion, 11 BIR (Bangladesh Infantry Regiments) Mechanized Battalion, BIR-12th, 13th and 15th Support Battalion, 59 East Bengal Support Battalion and School of Infantry and Tactics.

A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Army gave salute to the Prime Minister through a spectacular parade.

The premier said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the Awami League and it brought the country's independence after 24 years of struggle.

"So, it is our duty to ensure the country's development. The Bangladesh Army is the symbol of independence and sovereignty of the country. Making overall development of the army is also our duty," she said.

Whenever the Awami League assumes office, it plays major role in development of the armed forces, she said, adding, "After coming to power in 1996, I have established two infantry brigades, special works organization, 10 battalion, National Defence College (NDC), Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy, and Bangladesh Infantry Regiment Centre."