GM Quader
GM Quader slams govt. for vaccine uncertainty
Deputy Opposition Leader Ghulam Muhammed Quader said in parliament on Monday that there is uncertainly and a lack of clarity over the government’s plan to procure Covid-19 vaccine.
“But we still don’t know for sure when and where we will get vaccines…. We're just hearing the words of hope over vaccines ,” he said while participating in the discussion over the supplementary budget of 2020-21 fiscal in the House.
Read: Indian variant of Covid may wreak havoc on Bangladesh: GM Quader
GM Quader, also the chairman of Jatiya Party, said the finance minister in his budget speech mentioned that the government took measures to bring some 80 per cent of population in Bangladesh under the vaccination coverage and some 25 lakh shots will be given a month.
“If so, three crore doses of vaccines can be given in a year. And then it would take 5 years in case of giving one-dose vaccine and 10 years in case of two doses to each person for bringing 80 per cent of the population under the inoculation coverage,” he said.
The JP leader sought an answer from the finance minister over what would be the condition of the country’s economy, lives and livelihood, if it takes 5-10 years to complete the vaccination programme to ensure herd immunity in the country.
He said many developed countries are bringing the most of their population under the vaccination coverage and many non-developed countries also made good progress in it.
“But we live in uncertainty over the corona vaccines. The finance minister should make a statement in Parliament where vaccines will come from,” he said.
Talking about the proposed national budget, he said there is no plan to generate employment for the lower-class and middle-class people, rather there is a proposal to reduce corporate tax to satisfy the rich and make them richer.
Read: Budget imaginary, unrealistic: GM Quader
He said some experts remarked that it is budget of the businessmen, by the businessmen and for the businessmen.
“We definitely want a business and industry-friendly budget. But we simultaneously require specific economic plans for development of the economic condition of the people from the low and middle classes, which remain missing in this budget,” said GM Quader.
About the health sector, the JP Chairman said some TK 32,731 crore has been kept in the proposed budget for the health sector, which is only 0.83 percent of GDP. But the WHO suggested the allocation should be 4-5 per cent of GDP, he said.
“We should have allocated at least 2 per cent of GDP for the health sector during this corona pandemic,” said the deputy opposition leader, adding that the country’s economy would be vibrant again, if the corona can be checked.
Even the fund allocated for the health sector is being misused due to corruption. But none get punished for irregularities, he said.
Referring to journalist Rozina Islam’s recent arrest GM Quader said a journalist was harassed and tortured few days ago and a case was filed against her. Now rumour also spreads that a sedition charge would be brought against her.
Read:No support from ministry for local Covid vaccine: GM Quader
He said the journalists should be allowed to carry out their responsibility, which will help curb corruption.
Turning to education, the JP Chairman said around 4 crore students can’t go to their schools and colleges for a long time. If the Covid pandemic lasts for five more years, Bangladesh will head towards having an illiterate generation, he said.
Budget imaginary, unrealistic: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman on Thursday termed the proposed budget for 2021-22 FY imaginary and unrealistic, and said the government will not be able to implement it.
“We can assume that this fictitious and impractical budget can’t be implemented,” he told reporters after coming out of parliament’s budget session.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said there is a huge deficit in the proposed budget and the system that has been mentioned to fill the deficit is not realistic. “This budget needs to be rearranged extensively.”
He thinks the allocation for the health sector has been increased slightly while that for the social safety net is much less in compression with the size of the total budget.
GM Quader also said the allocation for the disaster management sector is not satisfactory.
He said the finance minister has prepared the budget based on his perceptions without considering the reality. “This budget has to be changed rigorously to give it a real shape.”
The Jatiya Party chief said though the minister has proposed increasing the expenditure in the budget but he has failed to outline how the revenue will be collected.
“As per the target of last year's budget, even 60 percent of the revenue couldn’t be collected in 10 months. I don't know how much they’ll be able to collect in the next two months,” he said.
He said there is no clear guideline in the budget about creating jobs and providing financial assistance for those who have become unemployed and gone below the poverty line during the corona period.
GM Quader said common people had an expectation that a large allocation will be given for the health sector, but it did not happen with the routine increase amid the corona crisis.
Jatiya Party wants adequate allocation for health sector
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Jatiya Party on Wednesday demanded the government make an adequate allocation for the health sector in the next national budget.
“People want a budget for health protection. So, an adequate allocation should be made for the health sector in the next budget,” said Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader.
In a statement, he said the Covid crisis has exposed how fragile the country's healthcare is.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal will present the national budget for 2021-22 fiscal year in Parliament early next month.
He said the government must modernise all the upazila health complexes with all facilities for conducting necessary tests.
“It’s also necessary to ensure advanced treatment and install ICU beds in all district-level government hospitals,” GM Quader said.
He also urged the government to appoint a necessary number of doctors, nurses, and medical technologists and technicians in public hospitals.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said patients should be given free life-saving medicine in public hospitals.
“No one will go abroad for treatment if better treatment is ensured in the country. We want not a single patient to die without treatment,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chief said the main objective of their party’s politics is to ensure all rights of people, including that of having treatment.
Israeli airstrikes on Palestinians worst example of barbarism: GM Quader
Describing Israeli airstrikes on Palestinians as the worst example of barbarism, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday called upon the United Nations and the global community to come forward to stop it.
“Hundreds of innocent Palestinians are being killed every day in atrocious airstrikes by Israel. Thousands of Palestinians are being seriously injured every day. Palestinian homes are being flattened,” he said.
Also read: Israeli strikes kill 33, topple buildings in Gaza City
GM Quader said even the offices of the international media were not spared from the Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli airstrikes on Palestinians are completely against humanity. “It’s the worst example of barbarism.”
He said a peaceful solution must be ensured in Palestine by forcing Israel to refrain from the attacks through discussions under the leadership of the UN. “The world community, including the United Nations, must come forward to stop Israel's monstrous airstrikes.”
Also read: Israel strike in Gaza destroys building with AP, other media
Since the fighting began between Israel and Hamas on Monday last, at least 181 people have been killed in Gaza, including 52 children and 31 women, with 1,225 injured, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Israel says dozens of militants are among the dead.
The flare-up of violence over the last six days came after weeks of increasing Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem, which culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews.
GM Quader seeks govt support for local vaccine Bangavax
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday urged the government to extend its necessary support to local company Globe Biotech so that it can succeed in developing its vaccine - Bangavax.
In a statement, he voiced resentment as Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) is not giving approval to the company for conducting a clinical trial of the vaccine.
“The people of the country want to know in whose interest the trial of Bangavax is not taking place though four months have elapsed (since it has sought permission). The government should extend support for the success of the locally developed vaccine alongside importing foreign ones to prevent the coronavirus,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief said Globe Biotech applied to the BMRCH for ist approval to carry out a clinical trial in January last. “But the permission has not been given yet for reasons unknown.”
Even, he said, the World Health Organization has listed Bangavax as a potential vaccine for corona prevention.
Also read: Take mega projects to improve healthcare system: GM Quader
On December 26 last year, GM Quader said the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) also allowed Globe Biotech to produce a vaccine for the trial. “But Bangavax cannot make any breakthrough for lack of BMRC’s permission.”
Citing researchers of Globe Biotech, the Jatiya Party chairman said a single dose Bangavax found effective in developing antibodies during the animal trial of the vaccine.
“The researchers expect to have similar results in clinical trials. As the one-dose vaccine Bangavax is made synthetically, it’s virus-free and 100% halal,” he said.
GM Quader said the government should help the company produce its vaccine. “If Bangavax succeeds in the clinical trial, it’ll be possible to export it abroad by meeting the local demand.”
Also read: GM Quader for effective steps to prevent waterway accidents
He also said Bangladesh's Bangavax can come to the global spotlight by exhibiting its efficiency in preventing the coronavirus.
Take mega projects to improve healthcare system: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday urged the government to make adequate allocations in the upcoming budget for taking mega projects to improve the country's healthcare system.
“Mega projects need to be implemented to improve Bangladesh’s healthcare system. The implementation of mega projects in the health sector has become imperative considering the humanitarian aspects and people’s basic rights,” he said.
In a statement, GM Quader said, “People want to see an outline and necessary allocations in the upcoming budget for implementing mega projects in the health sector.”
Also read: Procuring vaccine from one source was a wrong move: GM Quader
He said the ICU facilities must be ensured in public hospitals in every district of the country to save people's lives.
The Jatiya Party chief said necessary steps should be taken for ensuring the facilities for all types of medical tests in all the government hospitals, including the upazila health complexes.
“All the hospitals should have adequate beds with the facility of free supply of medicines. The necessary number of doctors, nurses and technologists should be recruited as soon as possible,” he observed.
Also read: Eid-Ul-Fitr: JaPa leader GM Quader greets PM
GM Quader said the coronavirus pandemic has exposed how helpless even the developed world when it comes to healthcare systems.
”So, better treatment facilities must be ensured in the country. If we can do that, no one will have to go abroad for treatment. It’ll save people's time and money in addition to ensuring the basic rights of ordinary people,” he added.
GM Quader for effective steps to prevent waterway accidents
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday urged the government to take effective steps to check waterway accidents in the country.
“The tragic accident like Shibchar’s one can’t be accepted. Effective measures must be taken to prevent the waterway accidents,” he said in a condolence message issued over the loss of lives in a speedboat capsize in the Padma River.
He also called upon the government to identify those responsible for the accident through an investigation, and take proper legal action against them.
Also read: Procuring vaccine from one source was a wrong move: GM Quader
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, demanded justified compensations for the families of the victims.
He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of huge lives in the incident.
The Jatiya Party chief also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Earlier in the morning, at least 26 people died when a speedboat sank in the river in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district.
The Banglabazar-bound speedboat from Shimulia Ferry Ghat capsized in the river after a collision with a sand-laden bulkhead.
Also read: Eid-Ul-Fitr: JaPa leader GM Quader greets PM
Twenty-six bodies were retrieved from the river with the help of divers from local Fire Service and Civil Defence, police and Coast Guard members.
Meanwhile, the local administration formed a six-member committee to investigate the speedboat capsize incident.
GM Quader for withdrawal of lockdown
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday said the ongoing lockdown should be withdrawn immediately as it is not possible to achieve anything from such restrictions without ensuring people’s food security.
In a statement, he also urged the government to distribute relief materials immediately to ease the sufferings of the poor and day-labourers.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 88 deaths, 3629 new cases
“It’s not possible to reap any benefit from the lockdown without ensuring food security. As there’re crores of people who live from hand to mouth in the country, they have to come out of their homes to save their lives,” the Jatiya Party chief said.
He said the working people are silently going through immense sufferings due to the lockdown enforced by the government on April 14. “The low-income people are suffering unbearably as they have become jobless."
Also read: Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25
GM Quader said common people are facing financial fines for coming out of their homes in search of work. “Overburdened with debt, the common people also can’t share their ordeals with anyone.”
Referring to different studies, he said around 2.5 crore people have become poor due to the adverse impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. “So, the financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister for those who affected by the lockdown is absolutely inadequate.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
He called upon the government to provide necessary financial assistance to the people affected by the coronavirus.
“I also urge the government to ease the lockdown. If it's possible, the lockdown should be completely withdrawn," the Jatiya Party chairman added.
JaPa accuses govt of harassing opponents
Jatiya Party on Wednesday accused the government of harassing its leaders and activists in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon over the vandalism at Royal Resort.
In a statement, party chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu said neither Jatiya Party nor its any leaders and activists were nvolved in the attack on the Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3 following the detention of Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mamunul Haque with a woman.
However, they said Jatiya Party’s Sonargaon Upazila unit President and Shambhupura Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Rauf and Sonargaon Municipal Jatiya Party Vice President and Municipality Councilor Farooque Ahmed were arrested by implicating them in "false" cases. “Besides, at least 35 more of our leaders and activists are being harassed in the false cases."
Also read: Jamaat and Japa leaders detained in Narayanganj
The Jatiya Party top leaders demanded the government immediately release Rauf and Farooque and stop the harassment of their leaders and workers.
They alleged that Jatiya Party leaders and activists could not stay at home during this holy month of Ramadan amid coronavirus pandemic as police are raiding their houses every night.
GM Quader and Bablu also said family members of the Jatiya Party leaders and activists have become worried over the continuous police raids.
Also read: Killing of Chattogram workers unacceptable: GM Quader
They demanded the government ensure that no innocent person who had no involvement in the resort attack incident is unnecessarily arrested or harassed.
Hefazat-e-Islam's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque was detained with a woman he claims as his second wife at Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3.
Hours later, a group of leaders and supporters of Hefazat and some locals attacked the resort and snatched Mamunul.
Killing of Chattogram workers unacceptable: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday said the killing of five workers of a power plant in police firing in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram in the month of Ramadan is not acceptable.
In a statement, he demanded the formation of a judicial probe committee to look into the incident and ensure proper legal action against the real offenders responsible for the clash and killing.
Referring to media reports, GM Quader said the workers were protesting against the payment of arrears and fixing of working hours considering the time for iftar, sehri and tarabi during Ramadan.
Also read: Police firing in Chattogram leaves five workers dead
“It’s essential to find out why and under what circumstances the police had to open fire on the protesting workers. Such killings during the holy month of Ramadan cannot be accepted,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chairman said reasonable compensation should be given to those killed and injured in the clash.
He also called upon the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
GM Quader prayed for the salvation of the departed souls and convoyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Also read: Now Bangladesh ‘cannot be called a democratic country’: GM Quader
On Saturday, five workers of an under-construction coal-fired power plant were killed and at least 25 others injured during a clash with police over the payment of their dues in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram.