Ban on indoor politics goes
Monday, 10 September 2007
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed announced Sunday lifting of ban on indoor politics today (Monday) to facilitate political parties' dialogue with the Election Commission ahead of the next polls, reports UNB.
The prohibition on political activities was imposed on March 8 last following the proclamation of the current State of Emergency on January 11 this year to quell political confrontation over the January 22 abortive general election.
In an address to the nation over the state-owned radio and television Sunday evening, the head of Caretaker Government also said if possible, the government would arrange general election ahead of the previously set December 2008 deadline after completion of the electoral roll with voters' photographs.
"Immediately after preparation of voter list with photos, the government will extend all-out cooperation to the Election Commission in holding the polls at the quickest," he assured the nation.
The Election Commission, in accordance with its July 15 roadmap, is scheduled to open a staggered dialogue with parties on September 12 on its proposed reforms in election rules and regulations. The dialogue will continue through November this year.
The Chief Adviser expressed the hope that all parties would participate in the discussions with the Election Commission to help finalise its draft on reform in consultation with political parties.
Dr Ahmed reaffirmed his commitment to transfer power to elected public representatives after arranging the elections within the set timeline.
"Our endeavour will continue to lay a solid foundation of democracy and good governance and create a condition free from corruption and muscle power so our future journey along the path of building a progressive and democratic society is not impeded."
The Chief Adviser categorically stated that the objective of his Government, which took office amid a crumbling democratic order, is not only to hold a fair election but also to build sustainable democracy. "Our final goal is to make democracy sustainable forever as democracy is the best way for people's emancipation and progress."
His government has waged a war on corruption since its assumption of office on January 12, taking into custody the high-profile corruption suspects, including former rulers, lawmakers, business tycoons and bureaucrats.
He said a section of corrupt persons looted thousands of crores of taka under their names or pseudonyms using power and influence.
"Although general people are to bear the burden of this, only a handful of people enjoyed its benefit. Therefore, the government has strengthened the Anti-Corruption Commission to take effective steps to stop corruption," he said.
The Chief Adviser informed that different persons returned Tk 8.20 billion (820 crore) earned through corruption and dishonesty to government exchequer following its coordinated efforts.
However, Dr Ahmed said the Anti-corruption National Task Force would not publish any new list of suspected corrupt persons after this month.
He said different government agencies would carry on anti-corruption drives in accordance with rules and regulations.
"You must admit that it is not possible for government alone to achieve final success in curbing corruption," said the Chief Adviser, underlining the imperative of practice of moral values in all spheres and honest desire at personal, family, social and political levels to build a corruption-free society.
On recent student protest on the Dhaka University campus that led the government to impose curfew and shut down universities and colleges in divisional headquarters, the Chief Adviser lamented that it was an unfortunate incident. He said the police filed cases against 36 suspects, including four teachers and 14 students of Dhaka University.
He assured that no other persons would be sued or harassed in connection with the campus incidents and the final report would be given by pardoning others, including thousands of anonymous people against whom police filed FIR.
In his 24-minute speech the Chief Adviser listed his government's various measures to tackle national issues, including floods, price-hike and power deficit and trade and economy.
The Chief Adviser said the present government assumed office for a limited time and is to take some harsh and corrective steps on short-term basis to put the nation on the right track.
"I would like to assure you that we are committed to performing the tasks vested in us properly until the holding of the election within the declared timeframe, December 2008."
Turning to prices of essentials, the Chief Adviser mentioned his government's various steps to stem the spirals. The government action includes the process of importing 900,000 tonnes of food-grain during the current fiscal year under government initiative, which remains at the final stage.
Open-market sale (OMS) of rice will begin tomorrow (Monday) under which a Kg of rice will be sold at Tk 19 against the import cost of Tk 25.
Besides, he added, private-sector import of rice and wheat increased in last two months and opening letter of credit (LC) to import food items has already increased following reduction in interest rate on bank loans for importing essential items and encouraging small importers.
On recent floods in the country, the Chief Adviser said one crore people of 39 districts and 256 upazilas were affected and properties worth thousands of crores of taka were damaged. The government has taken a number of steps to tackle the floods and for relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.
He said people of various classes and professions have come forward in aid of the flood-hit people and donated money to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund.
So far, nearly Tk 650 million has come as donation of which Tk 520 million has already been distributed as per demand and requirement of the flood-affected districts.
He said coordination committees at district and upazila levels, comprising government, private and NGO sectors, are carrying out efforts to tackle the post-flood situation.
"The members of the Armed Forces in aid of civil administration are playing an important role in relief and rehabilitation activities in every area."
Apart from food, clothes and cash assistance, he mentioned, CI sheets and house-building grants are being distributed to the flood-affected people so they could start life anew.
Rehabilitation activities have been strengthened in many areas of the country shortly after the receding of floodwater as well as a massive programme has been taken giving highest priority to distribution of seed, fertilizer and agricultural loans to the farmers.
"Our courageous and hardworking farmer community has already started cultivation with fresh zeal to make up for the losses. Cultivation process in many districts is at the stage of completion."
Regarding fresh floods, he said the government is firmly determined to face the new situation by all possible means.
On power situation, he said generation of electricity had not increased in the past although the demand went high. The present government has taken short, medium and long term planning to meet the growing demand for electricity, the outcome of which is already evident.
The average power production was 2800 MW last January whereas now 3600 MW electricity is being produced, he said.
An additional 200-megawatt electricity would be generated in December this year following government's steps and it hopes that 370-MW more power will be generated by next June, the head of the caretaker government informed the nation.
Lauding the Bangladesh Armed Forces as professional, Dr Fakhruddin said they have made commendable contribution at different times during the need of the nation, including in improving law-and-order situation, relief and disaster management, various development activities and in the UN peacekeeping missions in a number of countries.
Presently, he noted, the armed forces are providing significant assistance to the present government in curbing serious crimes, terrorism and corruption as well as in relief and rehabilitation operation for flood victims.
The prohibition on political activities was imposed on March 8 last following the proclamation of the current State of Emergency on January 11 this year to quell political confrontation over the January 22 abortive general election.
In an address to the nation over the state-owned radio and television Sunday evening, the head of Caretaker Government also said if possible, the government would arrange general election ahead of the previously set December 2008 deadline after completion of the electoral roll with voters' photographs.
"Immediately after preparation of voter list with photos, the government will extend all-out cooperation to the Election Commission in holding the polls at the quickest," he assured the nation.
The Election Commission, in accordance with its July 15 roadmap, is scheduled to open a staggered dialogue with parties on September 12 on its proposed reforms in election rules and regulations. The dialogue will continue through November this year.
The Chief Adviser expressed the hope that all parties would participate in the discussions with the Election Commission to help finalise its draft on reform in consultation with political parties.
Dr Ahmed reaffirmed his commitment to transfer power to elected public representatives after arranging the elections within the set timeline.
"Our endeavour will continue to lay a solid foundation of democracy and good governance and create a condition free from corruption and muscle power so our future journey along the path of building a progressive and democratic society is not impeded."
The Chief Adviser categorically stated that the objective of his Government, which took office amid a crumbling democratic order, is not only to hold a fair election but also to build sustainable democracy. "Our final goal is to make democracy sustainable forever as democracy is the best way for people's emancipation and progress."
His government has waged a war on corruption since its assumption of office on January 12, taking into custody the high-profile corruption suspects, including former rulers, lawmakers, business tycoons and bureaucrats.
He said a section of corrupt persons looted thousands of crores of taka under their names or pseudonyms using power and influence.
"Although general people are to bear the burden of this, only a handful of people enjoyed its benefit. Therefore, the government has strengthened the Anti-Corruption Commission to take effective steps to stop corruption," he said.
The Chief Adviser informed that different persons returned Tk 8.20 billion (820 crore) earned through corruption and dishonesty to government exchequer following its coordinated efforts.
However, Dr Ahmed said the Anti-corruption National Task Force would not publish any new list of suspected corrupt persons after this month.
He said different government agencies would carry on anti-corruption drives in accordance with rules and regulations.
"You must admit that it is not possible for government alone to achieve final success in curbing corruption," said the Chief Adviser, underlining the imperative of practice of moral values in all spheres and honest desire at personal, family, social and political levels to build a corruption-free society.
On recent student protest on the Dhaka University campus that led the government to impose curfew and shut down universities and colleges in divisional headquarters, the Chief Adviser lamented that it was an unfortunate incident. He said the police filed cases against 36 suspects, including four teachers and 14 students of Dhaka University.
He assured that no other persons would be sued or harassed in connection with the campus incidents and the final report would be given by pardoning others, including thousands of anonymous people against whom police filed FIR.
In his 24-minute speech the Chief Adviser listed his government's various measures to tackle national issues, including floods, price-hike and power deficit and trade and economy.
The Chief Adviser said the present government assumed office for a limited time and is to take some harsh and corrective steps on short-term basis to put the nation on the right track.
"I would like to assure you that we are committed to performing the tasks vested in us properly until the holding of the election within the declared timeframe, December 2008."
Turning to prices of essentials, the Chief Adviser mentioned his government's various steps to stem the spirals. The government action includes the process of importing 900,000 tonnes of food-grain during the current fiscal year under government initiative, which remains at the final stage.
Open-market sale (OMS) of rice will begin tomorrow (Monday) under which a Kg of rice will be sold at Tk 19 against the import cost of Tk 25.
Besides, he added, private-sector import of rice and wheat increased in last two months and opening letter of credit (LC) to import food items has already increased following reduction in interest rate on bank loans for importing essential items and encouraging small importers.
On recent floods in the country, the Chief Adviser said one crore people of 39 districts and 256 upazilas were affected and properties worth thousands of crores of taka were damaged. The government has taken a number of steps to tackle the floods and for relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.
He said people of various classes and professions have come forward in aid of the flood-hit people and donated money to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund.
So far, nearly Tk 650 million has come as donation of which Tk 520 million has already been distributed as per demand and requirement of the flood-affected districts.
He said coordination committees at district and upazila levels, comprising government, private and NGO sectors, are carrying out efforts to tackle the post-flood situation.
"The members of the Armed Forces in aid of civil administration are playing an important role in relief and rehabilitation activities in every area."
Apart from food, clothes and cash assistance, he mentioned, CI sheets and house-building grants are being distributed to the flood-affected people so they could start life anew.
Rehabilitation activities have been strengthened in many areas of the country shortly after the receding of floodwater as well as a massive programme has been taken giving highest priority to distribution of seed, fertilizer and agricultural loans to the farmers.
"Our courageous and hardworking farmer community has already started cultivation with fresh zeal to make up for the losses. Cultivation process in many districts is at the stage of completion."
Regarding fresh floods, he said the government is firmly determined to face the new situation by all possible means.
On power situation, he said generation of electricity had not increased in the past although the demand went high. The present government has taken short, medium and long term planning to meet the growing demand for electricity, the outcome of which is already evident.
The average power production was 2800 MW last January whereas now 3600 MW electricity is being produced, he said.
An additional 200-megawatt electricity would be generated in December this year following government's steps and it hopes that 370-MW more power will be generated by next June, the head of the caretaker government informed the nation.
Lauding the Bangladesh Armed Forces as professional, Dr Fakhruddin said they have made commendable contribution at different times during the need of the nation, including in improving law-and-order situation, relief and disaster management, various development activities and in the UN peacekeeping missions in a number of countries.
Presently, he noted, the armed forces are providing significant assistance to the present government in curbing serious crimes, terrorism and corruption as well as in relief and rehabilitation operation for flood victims.