Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last night described the current parliament as “very effective and lively”.
“This parliament is very effective. No abusive language is used in
the House. Parliament is functioning on the basis of constructive
activities and constructive criticism by the opposition, which is the
nature of a real and effective House,” the PM said in her winding up
speech at the seventh session of the 10th parliament.
She also thanked the opposition party and its leader for making the
session lively with their regular presence and participation. “This
time, the role of the opposition was really lively.”
Hasina said she could ignore interference of the big powers,
including the World Bank, in the country's internal affairs on different
occasions because of her honesty.
“When they [the World Bank and other big powers] advised me not to
hang war criminals, I ignored them. The only reason I could do that is
whatever I do, I do it with honesty.”
It was for her honesty that Bangladesh had been able to overcome the
allegation of corruption raised by the World Bank over the Padma Bridge
project, she said.
Referring to the ongoing movement by public university teachers over
the new pay scale, the PM said no government in the past, except for the
AL government, could increase the salaries of public servants to a huge
extent.
“I don't know why some are expressing dissatisfaction over the new
pay scale. Then what's the solution? Should we revoke the pay commission
and half the increased salaries and then go forward with their
demands,” a smiling Hasina said.
For the first time in the country, she claimed, her government has
introduced a system for raising the salaries of the public servants at a
cumulative rate that would not affect anyone.
On the ongoing movement by the private university students over the
7.5 percent VAT on their tuition fees, she said the students would not
have to pay the VAT; rather the university authorities would pay it.
The PM also highlighted various steps of her government for developing the higher education sector.
The seventh session of the 10th parliament was prorogued last night
with eight working days. Six bills were passed in the current session.
