United News of Bangladesh

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday said the ruling party wants the 13th parliament to be effective and vibrant where problems will be resolved through discussion and debate. “Our goal is to run an effective, vibrant and responsible parliament. We want an environment of constructive discussion, rational argument and healthy debate on national issues in parliament,” he said. The Chief Whip made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting of BNP’s parliamentary party in the ruling party’s parliamentary party room on the ninth floor of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman in the chair. He said the beauty of democracy lies in resolving national problems through discussion despite differences of opinion. “With that goal, we are determined to turn parliament into an effective and meaningful institution.” Moni said the treasury bench also expects constructive cooperation from the opposition. He said the parliament will be run in line with its Rules of Procedure and Code of Conduct, and important laws and policy matters aimed at improving people’s living standards will be placed before the House. “The parliament session beginning tomorrow will be the people’s parliament — the highest democratic institution representing the rights, hopes and aspirations of the people of the country,” the Chief Whip added. At the beginning of the sitting on Thursday, he said a member nominated by the Prime Minister will preside temporarily. After completing the initial formalities, the Speaker will be elected and sworn in, Moni said. The Chief Whip also said the Deputy Speaker will be elected after the Speaker, though the opposition has not yet proposed any candidate.

Chief whip Md Nurul Islam and six whips of the Jatiay Sangsad paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar on Sunday. The whips are G K Gaus, Rakibul Islam, Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Opu, M Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, Akhtaruzzaman Mia, and ABM Ashraf Uddin (Nizan). They laid wreaths at the altar of the memorial and observed a moment of silence in honour of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the 1971 Liberation War. After the tribute, Chief Whip Nurul Islam signed the visitors’ book at the memorial premises. Speaking on the occasion, he said BNP formed the government with a two-thirds majority in the 13th parliamentary elections after a long 17-year struggle and movement. He said the government will continue its efforts to work for the welfare of the people in line with the 31-point agenda announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the party’s election manifesto. The Chief Whip also expressed hope that the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad session scheduled for March 12 will be vibrant and participatory with the opposition playing a constructive role through discussions in Parliament. He noted that the ordinances issued by the President during the interim government period must be placed in the first sitting of the Parliament and passed within 30 days. Necessary preparations have already been completed in this regard, he added.

Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday stressed the need for ensuring good management in the health sector to increase public confidence further in the country’s healthcare services. “The Prime Minister has a special attention to the health sector of Bangladesh.  The number of hospitals and their beds has increased in the country.  The modern medical equipment and the number of specialist doctors and nurses have increased. Despite this, people are still going abroad for medical treatment,” he said. Read: Coronavirus: Ex-chief whip Shahid infected The chief whip was addressing as the chief guest at a programme in the Milon Hall of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Cancer Mission Foundation arranged the programme  to provide assistance to cancer patients. “It is essential for the doctors and hospital authorities to ensure good management so that the public confidence in the medical services of Bangladesh will increase further,” he said. Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury said the wheel of Bangladesh economy remains moving forward even amid the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been possible to tackle the pandemic due to the Prime Minister's foresight and timely decision-making as well as steps to reach the healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people, he said. He said many Bangladeshi meritorious doctors and teachers have shown their professional competence successfully in various reputed hospitals and education institutes in foreign lands. “Had they returned home and provided such services here, the nation would be benefited and the tendency of going abroad to receive treatment would decline largely,” said the Chief Whip. He urged all the concerned to work sincerely to ensure international standards in education and healthcare systems. Read:Short, long-term plans needed for water transport sector: Chief whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury said hadn’t Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman been born, Bangladesh would not be independent. And hadn’t his abled daughter Sheikh Hasina been in the government, the development pace of Bangladesh would not have accelerated, she said. Many mega projects, including construction of Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, Nuclear Power Plant and Karnaphuli Tunnel are possible due to the sincerity, honesty, hard-work and competent leadership of the Prime Minister, said the Chief Whip. BSMMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed, and Housing and Public Works Secretary Md Shahid Ullah Khandaker also spoke at the function presided over by President of Cancer Mission Foundation Prof Dr Md Moniruzzaman, said a press release.

Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of former MP elected from Gopalpur-Bhuapur of Tangail and finance secretary of Mujibnagar Government Khandaker Asaduzzaman.