Govt doesn't restrict reform-oriented 'house-level' political parleys: Mainul
Monday, 25 June 2007
Admitting informal parley politics in different places, including restaurants and drawing-rooms, Law Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein said generally politics is going on at house levels which the government does not restrict as it moves towards reform of politics.
"But restriction is in operation with regard to party politics and organisational matters," he told reporters after chairing the 7th meeting of the advisers' committee on law and order at home ministry Sunday, reports UNB.
Indoor politics is not an isolated issue and the government is observing the situation, the law adviser said. "And the decision of lifting ban on indoor politics will be taken at the highest level," he said.
Communications Adviser Abdul Matin, Education Adviser Ayub Quadri, secretaries of home, communications, health and education ministries and concerned senior officials were present at the meeting.
Replying to a question on political reform proposals, the law adviser said the government did not create any pressure in this regard. "Rather the government helped them expedite smoothly."
Barrister Mainul parried the question when asked how former social welfare minister and Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujaheed could leave the country despite being accused in extortion and murder cases whereas Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, who is facing same charges, was restricted from going abroad.
Home Secretary Abdul Karim said that the committee reviewed overall law-and-order situation of the country.
He said that the meeting decided to withdraw embargo on first-class government officials for getting license of firearms under the Arms Act. "Earlier, government officials equivalent to deputy secretary to upward and defence officials equivalent to the rank of Major to upward could apply for the license," he said.
Besides, individuals paying minimum Tk 2 lakh in annual taxes could apply for license. "Now the government is considering reducing the tax limit for individuals," he said.
The meeting decided that old firearms from arms dealers across the country would have to be deposited with the government under the Arms Act, the home secretary said.
"But restriction is in operation with regard to party politics and organisational matters," he told reporters after chairing the 7th meeting of the advisers' committee on law and order at home ministry Sunday, reports UNB.
Indoor politics is not an isolated issue and the government is observing the situation, the law adviser said. "And the decision of lifting ban on indoor politics will be taken at the highest level," he said.
Communications Adviser Abdul Matin, Education Adviser Ayub Quadri, secretaries of home, communications, health and education ministries and concerned senior officials were present at the meeting.
Replying to a question on political reform proposals, the law adviser said the government did not create any pressure in this regard. "Rather the government helped them expedite smoothly."
Barrister Mainul parried the question when asked how former social welfare minister and Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujaheed could leave the country despite being accused in extortion and murder cases whereas Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, who is facing same charges, was restricted from going abroad.
Home Secretary Abdul Karim said that the committee reviewed overall law-and-order situation of the country.
He said that the meeting decided to withdraw embargo on first-class government officials for getting license of firearms under the Arms Act. "Earlier, government officials equivalent to deputy secretary to upward and defence officials equivalent to the rank of Major to upward could apply for the license," he said.
Besides, individuals paying minimum Tk 2 lakh in annual taxes could apply for license. "Now the government is considering reducing the tax limit for individuals," he said.
The meeting decided that old firearms from arms dealers across the country would have to be deposited with the government under the Arms Act, the home secretary said.