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Bismillahir
Rahmanir Rahim
Mr.
Speaker,
Assalamu
Alaikum
1.
I feel honoured to be present here today in the
Parliament. At the commencement of the first session of
the Parliament of the year 1999, after the month of
Ramadan and festivity of the Eid-ul-Fitr, I convey my
sincere felicitations and warm greetings to you and
through you, to all the Hon'ble Members of the
Parliament and to the fellow countrymen.
2. At
the very outset, I pray to Almighty Allah, for the
salvation of the departed souls of the Hon'ble Members
of Parliament, leaders and renowned personalities who
breathed their last during last year.
3. The
devastating and prolonged flood of the century that
swept over Bangladesh last year, brought untold
sufferings and misery to the country. The flood caused
destruction to our agriculture, industry, communication
system and infrastructure. By the grace of Almighty
Allah and with the untiring efforts of the government
and our brave people, we could overcome the losses. The
timely post-flood rehabilitation saved the nation from
an inevitable catastrophe. The appropriate and timely
steps taken by the government were applauded both
nationally and internationally. I thank our Development
Partners, International Organizations and the NGOs
working in the country who came forward and took part in
the relief and rehabilitation work during and after the
floods.
4. Last
year was very important in our national life for various
reasons. The objective of our independence -
establishment of rule of law and economic self-reliance
- was marred by the brutal killing of the Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and members of
his family on August 15, 1975. This most heinous crime
in contemporary history put the whole nation into utter
disgrace so long. Though the trial was held after a
pretty long time, the murderers were tried under the
existing laws of the country. This has relieved the
nation from disgrace. Thus justice has been restored,
injustice defeated and all the citizens ensured justice.
Mr.
Speaker,
5.
The judiciary is very important for the
establishment of rule of law. The government is
determined to uphold the rule of law in the country.
With this end in view, the government has undertaken
steps for a total reform of the age-old judicial system
and in order to make it up-to-date to meet the need of
the time, a comprehensive reform programme has been
undertaken with the financial assistance of the World
Bank. Meanwhile, a need-assessment has been completed
with a view to examining the existing laws,
strengthening the legal and regulatory framework,
improving court procedure and court administration,
judicial training and legal education, expanding
infrastructure facility, introducing modem monitoring
techniques and know-how to bring in greater dynamism in
the works of the Ministry of Law. For this purpose,
implementation of a project will commence very soon. It
is hoped that with the successful completion of this
project an epoch making change will usher in the
management of the judicial sector.
6.
To ensure fundamental human rights the National Human
Rights Commission has been formed. For settling petty
disputes of the villagers expeditiously and at least
cost, rural Courts have been set up. To ensure
transparency and accountability in the public
administration, necessary formalities for the creation
of the office of the Ombudsman have already been
completed. It is hoped that an Ombudsman will be elected
very soon.
7.
The need for updating, adaptation and translation
into Bengali of all the current laws of Bangladesh is
undeniable. The Ministry of Law has completed adaptation
of all laws enacted till 1957 and has taken steps to
enact a law for the purpose. A competent legal framework
and sound judicial system is essential for country's
sustainable economic development and for attracting
domestic and foreign investment. With this end in view
and to expedite disposal of cases relating to the
financial sector, two
Bankruptcy Courts,
one each
in Dhaka
and Chittagong, two additional 'Artha Rin Adalat'
in Dhaka and one in Chittagong have already been set up.
Moreover, Metropolitan Sessions Courts have been set up
in Dhaka and Chittagong and the Sessions Court in Dhaka
has also started functioning.
To expand the Supreme Court building,
construction of an annex building with modem
architectural design and facilities is in progress. For
accommodation of lower courts and officers of the
judiciary, construction of court buildings and
residential buildings is in progress.
8.
As a consequence of the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Peace Agreement about 2,000 members of the Parbatya
Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) surrendered
their arms and returned to normal life. Over 64,400
members of 12,000 tribal refugee families living in
Tripura, India have returned. An Implementation
Committee headed by the Chief Whip of the Parliament and
a Task Force for the rehabilitation of the refugees
headed by a tribal MP has been formed. A tribal MP has
been appointed as Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Development Board and Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts
Affairs has been created with a tribal MP as Minister
in-charge. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council
Act has been enacted and an interim Regional Council
formed. In the light of the Agreement three Hill Tracts
Local Government Laws have been amended. As per the
terms of the Agreement a Land Commission will also be
constituted very soon.
After overcoming the long standing complexities,
the 'Mong Circle' and the 'Bomang Circle' Chiefs have
been appointed and they have also formally taken over
their offices.
9.
The members of PCJSS and the repatriated refugees
have been rehabilitated with all benefits committed by
the government. Members of the PCJSS have been
reinstated to their jobs and another 705 have been
appointed as police constables. Two hundred more tribal
refugees will be recruited as police constables in
foreseeable future. PCJSS members and their children
have been extended facilities for education in different
educational institutions. Peace and normalcy has
returned in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region for all
the inhabitants.
10.
After the conclusion of the Peace Agreement development
activities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts have picked up.
UNDP has completed a survey in Chittagong Hill Tracts
and has earmarked 48 development projects. It is hoped
that the Development Partners and Organizations will
come forward with financial assistance for the
implementation of these projects. To formulate a
strategy for development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
International Conference on Peace and Chittagong Hill
Tracts was
held on
June 20 to
21 last
year. Renowned
personalities from home and
abroad participated in this conference. They
lauded the peace accord as a rare example in resolving
long-standing differences among parties in dispute
without any local or foreign third-party mediation or
intervention.
11.
The Bangabandhu Bridge was opened for traffic
after it was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister
on 23rd June last. This bridge will contribute to a
great extent in the overall development of the
northwestern region of the country, particularly in the
fields of agriculture, industry, fisheries and mineral
resources. This bridge will be reckoned as an important
milestone for development of the country on the eve of
the twenty first century.
Mr.
Speaker,
12.
It is the constitutional obligation of the government to
ensure the security and safety of life and property of
every citizen by maintaining peace and harmony in the
society. Law and order is a must for progress and
prosperity in every sphere of the society. The
Government is committed to keep the law and order
situation under control. To this end, various pragmatic
and effective steps are being taken to curb terrorism as
well as to maintain the law and order situation.
Meanwhile, 5,000 additional posts of different
categories in the police force have been created.
Besides, necessary logistics and transports have been
procured to make the police force dynamic. To strengthen
the overall police activities as well as to expedite
investigation of cases, 36 new investigation camps have
been set-up in the crime prone remote localities in
addition to the existing 47 camps. Similarly, six more
new police stations have been setup in Dhaka City. To
prevent women and child trafficking, a special cell has
been created in the CID and patrolling by BDR and Police
in the border areas intensified. In order to attract
foreign investment procedure for issuance of visa for
the foreigners has been simplified. In the light of
international conventions action for amendment of the
Narcotics Control Act is underway.
13.
Bangladesh armed forces came into being in the midst of
our great war of independence. Economic development of
the war ravaged country and its overall defence
programme were initiated under the leadership of the
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Based on the guidelines given by the great architect of
our independence. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to involve the armed forces in the
national development activities along side protecting
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the
country, the armed forces have been subsequently
developed.
14.
Steps have been taken to enhance the efficiency
and professional standard of the armed forces through
proper training. For this purpose, establishment of the
National Defence College, the armed forces Medical
College and the Military Institute of Science and
Technology is progressing fast.
15.
Participation and performance of the members of
our armed forces in the United Nation's peace keeping
missions have been appreciated and lauded both at home
and abroad. The members of the armed forces contributed
effectively in the relief and re-habilitation works
during and after the last devastating flood. The armed
forces will remain vigilant in safeguarding the
independence and sovereignty of the
country with professionalism and will dedicate
themselves in the service of the motherland keeping them
above all controversy.
Mr.
Speaker,
16.
The prolonged and devastating flood of the
century damaged life and property and severely affected
the economy. Many development projects have been damaged
by the flood. Huge resources are necessary for the
repair and rehabilitation of the physical infrastructure
that was damaged by the flood. In response to the
appeals of the government, development partner countries
and organizations have already made substantial
commitments for assistance. Estimates made till November
last showed a need for a sum of $885 million for
rehabilitation. Till now, arrangements for assistance
have been finalised for $543 million from the World
Bank, $138 million from the Asian Development Bank and
$138 million from the International Monetary Fund.
Assistance from bilateral sources has also been received
and negotiations for further assistance are going on. To
cope with the need for flood rehabilitation works, in
addition to the foreign assistance, local resources have
also been mobilised by reprogramming funds from many
less priority projects under the Annual Development
Programme. Besides, the post-flood austerity programme
is expected to save around Tk.200 crore. Some specific
steps taken to gear up mobilization of domestic
resources are expected to provide an additional Tk. 300
crore. For speedy rehabilitation of the flood damaged
projects under both ADP & outside ADP, approval
procedure of such projects has been simplified.
17.
Funds provided in the current year's Revenue Budget for
operation and maintenance amounting to Tk. 711 crore
have been re-allocated for flood re-habilitation works.
Target for distribution of agricultural loan for
re-habilitation has been raised to Tk.3.269 crore. For
affected farmers agriculture loans up to Tk.15.000 taken
during financial years 1997-98 and 1998-99 have been
allowed to be re-scheduled.
18.
Appropriate and timely steps have been taken in the
fields of trade liberalization, expansion of tax base
and simplification of tax payment procedures. Rates of
income tax for individuals have been rationalised and
reduced to four from existing five. The maximum
investment ceiling for tax rebate has been raised from
Tk. 1 lakh to Tk. 1.5 lakh. The existing tax rates on
publicly traded banks, insurance and financial
institutions have been reduced to 35%. Self-assessment
tax returns for private limited companies have been
further simplified.
19.
The highest rates of duty on imports have been reduced
to 40%. Customs duty on items of similar category
included in 107 H.S. codes has been unified. To make
treatment of heart and kidney patients easy and less
costly, import of machinery and equipment including a
large number of auxiliary items has been made duty free.
To attract industrial investment and make such
investment profitable, customs duty on various raw
materials and intermediate goods has been reduced. For
the promotion and expansion of computer and software
industry in the country import of machinery for such
industry has been allowed duty free.
20.
The commitment of foreign aid for 1998-99 is $1600
million and the estimate for disbursement is $1.543
million. Actual disbursement during the current year is
expected to exceed last year's level. Commitment of aid
in education, health and private sector is particularly
remarkable. Enhanced
assistance to these sectors is a reflection of
confidence and support of the development partners in
the economic policy of the government.
21.
Under a Three Year Country Assistance Strategy adopted
by the Executive Board of the World Bank on 31st March
1998, provision of annual assistance earmarked for
Bangladesh has been raised from $450 million to $650
million. The quantum of assistance may further increase
depending on proper utilization of such assistance and
the pace of implementation of institutional and policy
reform programme.
Mr.
Speaker,
22.
With a view to improving the quality of life through
poverty alleviation the present government has adopted a
series of reform programmes. Appropriate emphasis has
been given on private sector based growth. open market
policy, simplification of complicated procedures &
formalities, de-regulation, legal reform,
favourable environment
for attracting
FDI etc.
Moreover, special attention has been given to
generation, transmission and distribution of electricity
and oil & gas exploration. Excepting a few sectors
of the economy, all other sectors are now open to
private investment.
23.
Government has
given top
priority to
planned development. The Fifth Five Year Plan
document has been prepared in the shortest possible
time. The Plan envisages total investment of Tk. 1,960
billion, out of which public sector outlay accounts for
Tk. 859 million which is about 44% of the total outlay.
The remaining 56% has been earmarked for the private
sector. Domestic resources would finance 78% of the
investment outlay, while the rest 22% would be financed
through external
assistance.
24.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics has estimated the
real GDP for 1996-97 and provisional GDP for 1997-98 and
the growth rate was at 5.9% in 1996-97 and 5.6% in
1997-98. Annual per capita income during the same period
stood at Tk.11,859 and Tk. 12,743 respectively.
Mr.
Speaker,
25.
Primary education is the first step in human resource
development. The Primary and Mass Education Division has
been awarded the UNESCO International Literacy Award for
1998 in recognition of the success in primary education
and literacy. As per government's commitment primary
schools will be set up in all villages which do not have
any such institution. For this purpose, selected NGO's
have been provided with Tk. 5 lakh per school.
Management of non-functional community schools in
different areas of the country has been handed over to
NGO's on some conditions. Enrolment in schools increased
to 96% in 1997 as against 80% in 1993. Rate of literacy
increased to 51% in 1997 from 47% in 1996. Literacy rate
is estimated to be 56% in 1998. Majority of the
population are now literate.
26.
For repair and renovation of about 20,000 primary
schools damaged by the last flood, a project costing Tk.
25 crore has been taken up. To improve the standard of
education, the management committees of the government
and registered non-government primary schools have been
re-constituted and the schools have been classified into
four categories on the basis of their performance
standard. Special attention has been given to training
of teachers. A programme is under implementation to
train the primary school teachers on the methods of
teaching of English under the supervision of foreign
experts and volunteers. For effective supervision of the
schools and education offices, an intensive inspection
programme has not only been strengthened but also has
been made compulsory. As a result of intensive and
improved supervision, attendance of teachers and the
quality of teaching in the primary schools have shown
marked improvement. To impart training on modem and
scientific methods of teaching through computers by
experienced trainers, steps have been taken to establish
'Resource Centres' in each thana. Motivational publicity
through Radio and Television has been further
strengthened.
27.
The election commitment of the government to introduce
an education system aiming at human resource
development, generation of self employment, infusion of
scientific and technological know how, an appropriate
education policy has been formulated by the government
in the light of the Dr. Qudrat-e-Khuda Commission
report, will soon be placed before the august Sangsad
for approval. Education has been assigned top most
priority in the national budget to top most priority and
80 development projects have been taken up during the
current financial year at a cost of Tk.733 crore. Twelve
new universities of science and technology are going to
be set-up. To promote technical education 16 polytechnic
institutes, one vocational teachers training institute
and one college of textile engineering and technology
are being established. During 1997-98 over 8,000
trainees have been trained on various vocational trades
in 11 technical and 1 marine technology institutes. In
line with the government teachers and employees, the
non-government teachers and employees have also been
given increased benefit under the new national pay
scale. A 'Welfare Trust' with a fund of Tk. 50 crore has
started functioning for their pension and general
welfare.
28.
For expansion of female education the government has
already nationalised 18 non-government women colleges
and has taken up a plan to establish 3 women polytechnic
institutes. Stipend and tuition fee facilities for
female students have already enhanced participation of
female students at primary and secondary levels to a
level almost equal to that of the male students.
Considering the increased number of students, steps have
been taken to introduce double shifts in 300 schools.
Rehabilitation work of about 10,000 flood affected
educational institutions of different categories is
going on in full swing.
29.
To make the subjects of astronomy and space science
attractive to the younger generation, and to show the
movements of the planets and the stars to the general
public, construction of a modem planetarium named 'Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novotheatre', the first of its
kind, in Bangladesh at a cost of Tk. 52 crore has been
undertaken. A Bio-technology Institute is being
established to generate momentum in research and
development in the fast developing field of
bio-technology. An Information Technology Wing has also
been set up in the Ministry of Science & Technology.
A programme has been taken up to establish an
Information Technology Village for setting up an
Information Technology Institute and for providing
necessary assistance for the expansion of information
technology. Three research projects were undertaken last
year in order to undertake an appropriate programme to
prevent arsenic pollution in the country. A programme
has been taken up to provide non-government secondary
schools with computers to familiarise students at the
grass roots on computer technology and its application.
30.
The Public Administration Reforms Commission have
already submitted some recommendations to the government
and these are being implemented in phases. To provide
improved training to the government officers and staff,
the training institutes have been strengthened. To
ensure transparency and accountability among the
government officials and to prevent corruption steps
have been taken to ensure submission of statements on
both movable and immovable property by the government
officials at the time of entry into service and annually
thereafter. Financial assistance has been extended to
government officials to implement various welfare
activities. More than Tk. 8 crore has been distributed
as stipend for the education of the children of class
III and class IV officials. For treatment of complicated
and costly diseases both at home and abroad, Tk.l.45
crore have been paid as grant to government officers and
staff.
31.
To make health and family welfare services easily
available to the people, the existing project-based
system has been replaced with sector-wide programme
approach. The estimated cost of this five-year programme
is Tk. 15,314 crore. To ensure health care, a 'National
Health Policy' has been formulated. The Institute of
Postgraduate Medicine and Research has been upgraded to
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University to
bring in excellence and improvement in medical education
and research. An 'Essential Service Package' has been
introduced for providing health and family planning
services to the people at their doorsteps. To prevent
spread of AIDS a National Plan of Action has been
formulated in the light of the 'National AIDS Policy'.
Mr.
Speaker,
32.
Under the poverty alleviation programme of the Rural
Social Service about 20 lakh families were given loan
amounting to Tk. 111.88 crore till November last. In 222
thanas 7.31 lakh women have been imparted vocational
training, 10.35 lakh women motivated in the use of
contraceptives and more than 5.05 lakh given revolving
credit through Rural Mother Centres. Under the Urban
Community Development Programme, Tk.4.22 crore have been
given as revolving credit to families living below the
poverty-line in 50 towns and over 1.25 lakh persons have
been provided vocational training for self-employment.
Elderly persons in 4,479 unions numbering 2,01,555 women
and same number of men have been paid ' Old Age
Allowance' at the rate of Tk. 100 per month. Widows and
divorced distressed women numbering 10 in each word of
every union in the country have been given Tk. 100 each
as grant, totaling a sum of Tk.4,07,72,000/-.
33.
Micro credit programme has been strengthened both by the
government and the non-government organisations with the
objective of poverty alleviation.
Tk. 184 crore
have been
distributed through the Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation.
To assist their programmes a loan of Tk. 100 crore has
been extended to the Grameen Bank through the Bangladesh
Bank. The Karma Sangsthan Bank with a paid-up capital of
Tk. 100 crore has started functioning. The Bangladesh
Rural Development Board has so far distributed Tk. 1,868
crore among the poor men and women of the agriculture
co-operatives for crop production and income generation
activities. For the rehabilitation of flood affected
poor, a plan to distribute Tk. 310 crore as micro-credit
and Tk. 100 crore as crop loan through the
co-operatives, has been taken up. Besides these
activities in the public sector, non-government
organisations have also created self-employment
opportunities through their micro credit programmes.
Employment opportunities for 2,60,000 unemployed persons
have been created by these organisations through the
micro credit programme. To make the activities of the
non- government organisations more effective, a
'Government-NGO Consultative Council' has been formed.
Mr.
Speaker,
34.
Participation of women in all development activities is
a pre-condition for balanced development. Realising the
importance of participation of women in development
activities, the present government has taken a number of
important steps. Among them, formulation of the
'National Women Development Policy' for the overall
improvement of women and the National Women Development
Plan of Action, are important. The 44 member National
Women Council headed by the Hon'ble Prime Minister is
monitoring the implementation of development programmes
and policies pertaining to women. Attaching top priority
to the development of women and children, the government
has raised allocation by six times to Tk.336 crore in
the Fifth Five-Year Plan compared to that in the Fourth
Plan. A total of 30 projects on the development of the
Jatio Mahila Sangstha, poverty alleviation, increase
awareness among women, development of women investors,
preservation of to the legal rights of women, prevention
of cruelty to women and children and women and child
trafficking, development of women in Chittagong Hill
Tracts, are now under implementation. Besides these, the
Begum Rokeya Training Centre at Mymensingh have started
providing training to women to make them as trained
manpower. Construction of the Shahid Begum
Fazilatunnessa Mujib Women Training Academy is
progressing fast. Work for the addition of 223 beds to
the Nilkhet Working Women Hostel and construction of two
such hostels at Mirpur and Badda will be taken up soon
to provide residential accommodation for working women.
For the children of working women, 12 day-care centres
have already been established in Dhaka and Chittagong.
Number of such centres will be increased in phases.
35.
On 28th January 1997 Bangladesh
ratified the ILO Convention on Equal Remuneration for
Men and Women Workers for Equal Work. The Convention
became effective on 28th January 1998.
36.
The youth development programmes have been expanded to
all districts and thanas of the country. The number of
training centres to train the unemployed youths in
various trades has been increased from 169 to 210.
During 1998-99 about 2 lakh youths will be trained in
these centres. Necessary steps have been taken to impart
computer training at the computer training centres in
all district headquarters.
37.
There has been a re-awakening in the country in the
field of sports. For the development of sports the
National Sports Council is implementing 16 projects and
Tk-16.42 crore has been allocated during the current
fiscal year for this purpose. Bangladesh Cricket Team
became champion in the 1998 A.C.C Trophy Cricket
Tournament. The successful holding of the Mini-World Cup
Cricket in Dhaka during 24 October - 01 November last
year, has enhanced the image of the country. Bangladesh
will play in the World Cup Cricket to be held in England
in 1999. For meeting the growing demand of teachers of
physical education, construction of two physical
education colleges in Chittagong and Khulna Divisions is
nearing completion. To improve the standard of sports
and games in the country, competition among boys and
girls of 12-16 years age groups in various sports events
is being organized from union to national level. In
addition, sports goods are also being distributed to the
educational institutions and sports clubs every year.
Every year 12 sports events are held in all the
districts. These efforts are expected to result in
producing successful athletes and players at the
national level from the grassroots. In the meantime, the
'National Sports Policy' has been announced and
elections to the Sports Federations have been held after
a long period of time.
38.
To develop the infrastructure in the cultural field,
forty projects have been included in the development
programme for the current fiscal year. In order to
expand cultural activities in all districts, Shilpa Kala
Academies have been established in 36 districts and 6
thanas. Necessary steps have also been taken to
establish Shilpa Kala Academies in the remaining 27
districts. Besides these, development of public
libraries in the districts and some divisional
headquarters is also in progress. Private libraries in
the districts and thanas are also being given government
assistance. For the remembrance of the works and memory
of the renowned poets, literary personalities and
artists among the new generation, a number of
development projects are being implemented. Under this
programme memorial centres and libraries are being built
in Pairaband for Begum Rokeya, in Rajbari for Mir
Mosharraf Hussain, in Narail for Artist S.M. Sultan, at
Sagardari for poet Madhushudan Dutta, at Shilaidaha for
Rabindranath Tagore, at Darirampur for National Poet
Kazi Nazrul Islam and in Mymensingh for Shilpacharya
Jainul Abedin. Shahid Matiur Memorial Centre at the
Nabakumar Institure, Dhaka and Lalan Academy at Kushtia
are also being setup.
Excavation, repair and restoration of important
archeological sites at Bagerhat and Comilla are in
progress. A Divisional Museum has been opened in Khulna.
For promotion of tribal cultural activities in the
Chittagong Hill Tracts, development projects are being
implemented for various cultural activities including
construction of cultural centres at Ramu, Bandarban and
Rangamati. Programmes
are also being undertaken for tribal population of
Maulvibazar, Khagrachari and Rajshahi. Mujibnagar
Complex will be built at historic Mujibnagar in memory
of our great liberation war.
39.
To immortalize the memory of our liberation war and the
freedom fighters and to use the ideals and spirit of our
liberation in rousing our awareness for national
progress and advancement in the years to come,
construction of the Independence Monument has started at
Suharawardi Uddyan, Dhaka. As a mark of respect to the
eternal sacrifice of the architect of these ideals and
spirit, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, a Memorial is being built around his
mausoleum at Tungipara.
Construction of the 'Shahid Intellectuals
Memorial' at Rayarbazar, Dhaka is in progress.
40.
The devout Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists of
Bangladesh are practising their respective faiths in
harmony. For the promotional activities of the
respective religions, the Islamic Foundation, Hindu
Dharmiyo Kalyan Trust and the Buddha Dharmiyo Kalyan
Trust have been working regularly.
41.
As in last year, 35,000 pilgrims will go to Saudi Arabia
to perform the Holy Haj. For the welfare of the pilgrims
adequate number of medical teams and volunteers will be
deployed during Haj. To make their stay comfortable,
residential accommodation for the Haj has already been
hired in Makkah Sharif.
Mr.
Speaker,
42.
About 90 lakh farmer-families have been badly affected
by the last devastating flood. In agriculture the
estimated damage would be over Tk.3,600 crore. To
recover the damages caused by the flood and to further
enhance the contribution of
agriculture in the national economy, short and long-term
steps have been taken. A short-term programme for the
rehabilitation of flood damages in agriculture sector
with a cost of about Tk.44 crore has been launched. This
programme will benefit about 18 lakh farmer-families.
Under this programme small and marginal farmers and
share-croppers affected by the recent flood will be
provided with cash to purchase agricultural inputs in
the form of seeds, saplings, fertilizer and sprayers for
prevention of insects.
43.
Under the mid-term programme, 7 projects will be
implemented by the Directorate of Agricultural Extension
and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation at a
cost of Tk.101.52 crore. These projects aim at
increasing production of high-breed boro paddy, building
up a buffer stock of insecticides for pest and insect
control and rehabilitation of unserviceable deep
tubewells.
44.
To implement the long-term agricultural rehabilitation
programmes, 8 projects at a cost of Tk. 647 crore have
been taken up. These projects aim at increasing
production of transplant aman paddy through extending
irrigation in the drought-prone localities,
strengthening of post-flood agricultural output through
block displays, plantation of fruit-bearing trees and
irrigation and mechanised cultivation. It is hoped that
the implementation of these projects will not only
compensate the damages caused by the flood, but will
also usher in far-reaching developments in the
agriculture sector.
45.
There are many kinds of problems in water resources
development. The most critical of them are alternating
flooding during monsoon and water scarcity during the
dry season, river sedimentation and river bank erosion.
A 'National Water Policy' has been prepared to ensure
optimal development and use of water resources.
46.
As per provisions of the historic Ganges Water Sharing
Treaty, Bangladesh received its due share in the dry
season of 1998. The Joint Committee of Experts headed by
the Water Resources Secretaries of Bangladesh and India
are working on the sharing of waters of the Teesta and
other common rivers. Meanwhile exchange of necessary
data in respect of border and common rivers has started.
The Right Bank embankment of the Teesta river falling on
both Bangladesh and Indian territories has been linked
up making it a perfect protective embankment. As a
result of this linking up, crops and properties of the
people living around the 100 sq.km. area of the right
bank of the Teesta will be protected from recurring
floods.
47.
Severe damages have been caused to the flood control
embankments and various infrastructures by last year's
flood. Meanwhile, under the emergency programme, repair
and rehabilitation work have started with our own
resources. Since the eastern part of the Greater Dhaka
City was seriously affected by the flood, implementation
of the Dhaka Integrated Flood Control Project to protect
an area of 124 sq.km. from recurring floods and drainage
congestion by constructing an embankment-cum-bypass road
and railway track from Kanchpur bridge to Joydevpur
intersection, has been taken up. Implementation of the
remaining work of the western segment of the Dhaka City
Flood Control and Drainage Project is also nearing
completion. Dredging of 30 km. of river bed from the
off-take of the Garai has also started to maintain
ecological balance of the south-west region of the
country.
48.
Production of food crops in our country largely depends
on nature. The prolonged and devastating flood that the
country experienced from July to September 1998 caused
enormous losses to crops, particularly the aman crop. As
a result, the projected food deficit for 1998-99
increased from its normal level of 21 lakh metric tons
to 43 lakh metric tons. To meet the food deficit, the
government decided to augment market supplies and to
increase the national food reserve. With this end in
view, the government increased the target import of food
grains in the public sector form 3.5 lakh metric tons to
10 lakh metric tons. The development partners have
responded positively to the request of the government
for food assistance. As a result, against the original
expectation of 6 lakh metric tons of food aid,
commitment for 16 lakh metric tons of food aid has
already been received. I would like to thank the
development partners for their generous food aid at this
crucial time. The government has also taken measures to
facilitate smooth import of food grains by the private
sector. Against the total import of about 11 lakh metric
tons by the private sector during 1997-98, food grain
import up to November in the current fiscal year stood
at 16 lakh metric tons. The coordinated and timely
actions taken by the government have ensured a
satisfactory reserve of food stock and stability in the
supply of food grains in the market.
49.
Government has formulated a "National Fisheries
Policy' for the development and proper guidance of the
fisheries sector. It is expected that the implementation
of the Policy will have a positive impact on fisheries
conservation, increase in production, protein supply,
employment generation and foreign exchange earnings.
50.
The number of private dairy farms has increased
to 29,649 due to government patronization. As a result,
dependence on import of powder milk has fallen. About 31
thousand sheep and goat farms and 91 thousand poultry
farms have been established in the private sector. As a
result of increased production of meat & egg animal
protein deficiency is being gradually reduced.
51.
To meet the ever growing demand for forest resources and
to maintain the ecological balance, a Forestry Master
Plan has been taken up to bring 20% of the land area of
the country under afforestation. Under this Master Plan
the government has undertaken a country-wide programme
of massive afforestation, management of wildlife and the
ecosystem, conservation of the bio-diversity, etc..
Provision has been made for involving the poor,
especially the landless rural women and the people of
hill tracts, and for the rehabilitation of the
unemployed freedom fighters in the process of
afforestation of 9.056 hectares of land and 5 thousand
km. of strip plantation under 11 different projects
during 1997-98. The people have already begun to reap
the fruit of social afforestation. By undertaking 6 new
projects in addition to the existing ones, around 20
thousand hectares of land will be brought under
plantation and strip plantation will be made along 11
thousand km. of road during 1998-99 through extension of
the afforestation programme. As a result of the efforts
of the present government, the UNESCO has declared the
Sundarbans as 'World Heritage' and for the country this
is a rare recognition. Besides, steps are underway for
the re-organization of the Forest Department and
amendment of the existing Forest Act to make the forest
administration more dynamic.
52.
The Government has been making relentless efforts for
the conservation and up-gradation of the environment and
prevention of environmental pollution. In line with the
1992 Rio Declaration of the UN, the government has
framed Environment Conservation Rules to consolidate and
strengthen environment conservation activities. The
'National Environment Committee' under the leadership of
the Hon'ble Prime Minister has been reconstituted in
order to bring dynamism to the environment development
activities. Besides, in pursuance of the decisions at
various International Conventions, Environmental Courts
are being setup for speedy disposal of cases against
environment polluters. The development projects taken up
by the present government to protect environment and
create of awareness among the general public will,
hopefully, make significant contribution.
Mr.
Speaker,
53.
Bangladesh has attained efficiency &
reputation in disaster management. For effective
disaster management, about 2,000 officers and staff are
working through the country under the Ministry of
Disaster Management & Relief and its sub-ordinate
offices. Besides, 32,800 male and female volunteers are
engaged in more than 2,700 units of 19 coastal districts
under Cyclone Preparedness Programme. For proper
monitoring at the time of natural disasters the control
room in the Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief remains open round the clock.
Meanwhile, a computer based MIS has started functioning
in the Disaster Management Bureau for effective
monitoring. This has contributed a lot during the last
flood.
54.
About 3 crore people in 375 thanas of 53 districts were
severely affected during the century's worst flood last
year. More than 10 lakh people took shelter in 2,716
flood shelters. The government provided succour to the
effected and needy in the form of biscuits, sarees,
lungies and other relief materials during the flood
lasting for over two months. At the same time 2.43 lakh
metric tons of food grains were distributed through 7
lakh VGF cards in the first two months and another 42
lakh VGF cards subsequently. In addition, a huge
quantity of sarees, lungies, old clothings, ready made
garments, oral saline and other relief materials were
also distributed from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
Furthermore, an amount of Taka 20.20 crore was
sanctioned as house building assistance for the repair
and rehabilitation of flood damaged houses. The
government was profusely praised both at home and abroad
for successfully managing the worst flood of the century
55.
The Test Relief and Food for Works programme play a
vital role in employment generation in the rural areas,
repair and reconstruction of rural infrastructure,
maintaining stability in the price of food-grains in the
local market and poverty and alleviation. The government
has so far sanctioned 1.20 lakh tons of food-grains for
reconstruction of rural infrastructure and 50,000 metric
tons of food-grains for maintenance of rural
infrastructure under the Test Relief programme.
56.
The 'Asrayan' project is an endeavour for providing
accommodation and self-employment to the landless and
shelterless. Conceived by Hon'ble Prime Minister, this
project is being implemented throughout the country
under her direct supervision. The rehabilitated families
are provided with a homestead and 0.08 acre of khas land
permanently in the joint name of husband and wife. They
are also imparted vocational training and extended a
loan of Tk. 10,000 each for self-employment. Till
December last 3,510 families have been rehabilitated in
351 barrack houses. Another 364 barrack houses are now
under construction. On completion of this project, a
large number of shelterless people of the country will
be free from the clutches of poverty.
57.
To modernise land administration, a technical assistance
project has been taken up with the assistance of the
Asian Development Bank. Every landowner will be provided
with a correct and dependable ownership certificate by
bringing in modifications in the existing legal and
institutional arrangements, where necessary. When this
scheme of providing ownership certificates all over the
country is completed in phases, the number of
litigation's will be drastically reduced. The general
public have been facing various difficulties because of
the age-old conventional method of record keeping. To
ameliorate and reduce these difficulties, steps have
been taken to computerise land records and update them.
As per the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Agreement, a
project has been taken up to conduct land survey in the
Chittagong Hill Tracts.
58.
The Steering Committee formed to formulate a Policy for
the optimal and best use of land and prevent
indiscriminate use of land, has already prepared a draft
Policy. Optimal and proper use of land will be ensured
by the formulation of the Land Use Policy.
59.
For the best use of the Khas agricultural lands
'Committees for the Management and Lease of Khas Land'
have been formed at thana, district and national levels.
Under the second phase of the 'Adarsha Gram' project,
48,000 families
will be rehabilitated in 650 'Adarsha Grams' during
1998-2005.
60.
With a view to reducing the acute shortage of
residential accommodation in the Dhaka - Metropolitan
City and creating a healthy and environment friendly
atmosphere for the city dwellers a number of housing
projects are under implementation. The RAJUK has taken
up construction of the 'East Baridhara" housing
project, the 'Purbachal' satellite township with modem
facilities in the out-skirts of Dhaka City, the third
phase extension of 'Uttara Model Town' and a new housing
complex near the Dhaka-Mawa Highway for low and middle
income groups with the collaboration of local and
foreign investors. A programme for construction of
multistoried buildings at Bhashantek near Dhaka for
accommodating 15,024 families of landless and homeless
slum dwellers and class III and class IV government
employees, has been undertaken.
61.
To ease the residential accommodation and transportation
problems in Chittagong area, the CDA has been
implementing 3 housing and 4 road development projects.
The Khulna Development Authority is implementing
one housing and two road development projects. The
Rajshahi Development Authority is implementing 7
projects for housing and road development.
Mr.
Speaker,
62.
Export and import trade plays a significant role
for industrialisation and
economic self-reliance. To make international
trade free and simplified the government has adopted a
five-year export policy and import policy in place of
existing two-year policies. For accelerated
industrialisation import of capital machinery and raw
materials without opening Letters of Credit has been
allowed. During 1997-98 exports grew by 16.81%.
Although growth of export during the first two
months of 1998-99 was more than that during the same
period last year, it slowed down in the following two
months due to the most devastating flood of the century.
However, with the present trend of exports it is hoped
that the target can be achieved by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, anomalies concerning GSP certificates have
been resolved and this will help growth of export.
Considering the export potential of agricultural
products, steps have been taken to strengthen this
sector and diversify exports and explore new markets.
With this end in view, computer, toy, luggage and
fashion goods, electronics, leather products, silk
fabrics, wood, artificial flower, orchid, gift items
etc. have been included in the crash programme for
export promotion. Customs duty on import of computers
and its accessories has been withdrawal. As a result,
opportunity for employment of a large number of educated
youths will be created, export prospect of computer
software and data entry will be widened and poverty
alleviation achieved.
63.
During the 1997-98 fiscal year 2.43 lakh workers were
sent abroad from Bangladesh. The overseas workers
remitted Tk. 6,642 crore in foreign currency during the
same period. Death compensation for 676 overseas
Bangladeshi workers was realised from foreign countries
in 1997-98 and distributed to the families of the
deceased.
64.
The problems created by the destruction and damages
caused by the last flood to the industrial
infrastructure and production of export commodities was
faced by the government with courage and efficiency with
the active support of the private sector. The 'National
Export Council' under the chairmanship of the Hon'ble
Prime Minister and the relevant Committee headed by the
Hon'ble Minister for Commerce and Industries took prompt
and effective steps to solve the problems of production
and transportation of export commodities by making
arrangements for special ferry service and quicker
loading of export cargoes in the sea ports and airports
at the time of last devastating flood.
65.
To keep the prices of essential items like onion, dry
chilli and soyabean oil etc. stable, import duty on
those items was either withdrawn or reduced. Draft
Consumer Protection Law is under preparation in
consultation with the relevant agencies with a view to
protecting the consumer rights.
66.
In the context of the adoption of the world-wide free
market concept by the World Trade Organisation, foreign
trade related policies of the country have also been
amended and modified, where necessary after thorough
evaluation and review.
67.
During the years 1996-97 and 1997-98, the Investment
Board registered 278 foreign and joint venture
investment proposals worth $4.4 billion. By July, 1998
foreign investment worth $2 billion was made in the
country. Besides, '0ne Stop Service' has been introduced
with a view to intensify local and foreign investment
and attractive package of incentives has been announced
to facilitate investment. Investment in the two EPZs of
Dhaka & Chittagong till September last year stood at
$ 334 million resulting in the creation of employment
opportunities for 75,000 workers. One Industrial Park'
in Sirajganj and EPZ's in Mongia, lswardi and Comilla
are being setup. For the growth of small and cottage
industries 57 industrial estates have already been
set-up and 13 estates are being set-up. For small and
cottage industries, loans worth Tk.7.29 crore have been
distributed during the last fiscal year creating
employment opportunities for about 50,000 workers.
Acceptance of Bangladeshi products in the international
market is gradually picking up under the present open
market competition. In the back-drop of the open market
economy, an up-to-date Industrial Policy' has been
framed to encourage and expedite industrialization.
68.
To ensure fair price to the jute growers and optimise
production in the nationalised jute mills, the
government has set a target to purchase 12 lakh bales of
raw jute by the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation. For
this purpose BJMC was provided with Tk. 100 crore from
the public exchequer. Besides a fund of Tk. 130 crore
has been provided by the government to give export
market assistance at 10% on export of jute products by
both public and private sectors. It may be mentioned
that over Tk. 435 crore have been earned in foreign
currency till November 1998 from export of jute
products. Besides, Tk. 129.12 crore have been earned by
exporting 7.05 lakh bales of raw jute till December,
1998.
69.
For increasing production of handloom fabrics projects
entitled 'Banarasi
Palli' and Integrated Development and
Rehabilitation of Weavers of Chittagong Hill Tracts' are
under implementation. During the current year Tk. 20
crore have been allocated to provide working capital to
the marginal weavers under the Tk.50 crore project
titled 'Small Credit Programme'. Besides, another
project titled 'Handloom Fabrics Marketing' has been
taken up. A project has been taken up for the post flood
rehabilitation of the weavers and loan worth Tk. 10
crore have been disbursed through the banking channel
under this project. For the post-flood rehabilitation of
Banarasi and Jamdani artisans another programme has been
launched to provide them with loans from the commercial
banks. Like the farmers, the weavers will also receive
credit facilities under the ongoing agricultural credit
programme.
70.
The Bangladesh Sericulture Board is implementing two
projects for the overall development of the silk sector.
On completion of these two projects, production of
improved varieties of eggs, cocoons and raw silk will
increase and employment opportunity will be widened. A
project with a cost of Tk. 190 crore has been taken up
for the rehabilitation of the units of the already
completed projects on extension of silk industry,
establishment of seed cocoons production centres and the
national programme for the development of research in
silk production. Arrangements have been made to provide
working capital to the tune of Tk-6.20 crore to the
Rajshahi and Thakurgaon Silk Mills to enable them to
become commercially viable and profitable units. The
operational mills under the Bangladesh Textile Mills
Corporation are being run with a service charge on a
'no-loss no-profit' basis. As a result, the recurring
loss for the running of the mills is gradually falling.
The 6 Textile Diploma Institutes and 27 Vocational
Textile Institutes are producing on an average 1,100
textile technicians annually. Modernisation of these
institutes is also underway.
Mr.
Speaker,
71.
The government has undertaken various measures to meet
the growing demand for power through reforms in the
management of power sector and its development. The
policy adopted by the present government to overcome the
past limitations and bottlenecks in the way of
investment in the power sector has started yielding
positive results. The 100 MW barge mounted power plant
in Khulna built by the private sector has gone into
production last September. Another 100 MW barge mounted
power plant has arrived. Construction of the 210 MW
power plant at Ghorashal under the public sector is
complete and is expected to go into production soon. As
a result, production of electricity will increase by 410
MW raising availability of power by about 20%. Besides,
the 210 MW Shiddhirganj power plant is under
construction. Emphasis is also given on the maintenance
and rehabilitation of the existing power plants. Under
the rural electrification programme 24,308 kilometres of
distribution lines have been erected to cover
electrification of 7 lakh consumers in 6,300 villages.
72.
Keeping in view the future demand of electricity
4 contracts have been concluded for setting up power
plants in the private sector. On completion of these
projects additional 650 MW of electricity will be
generated. The on-going plants at Shahjibazar, Haripur
and Baghabari for generation of a total of 279 MW of
electricity are at different stages of construction.
Contracts for setting up 3 more plants in the private
sector are under process.
73.
To over
come the limitation of transmission lines, erection of
132 KV Comilla - Baroaulia transmission line has been
taken in hand. In the meanwhile, Baroaulia-Feni segment
has already been commissioned. Construction of 230 KV
Comilla - Hathajari transmission line has also started.
Steps have been taken for the construction of 230 KV
Comilla - Meghnaghat - Haripur line and Kallyanpur -
Hasnabad line. Under the reforms programme, the Dhaka
Electric Supply Company has taken over the
responsibility of distribution of electricity in the
Mirpur area.
74.
Situation in the energy sector is improving due to the
various steps taken in this regard. An all time record
production of over 900 million cft. of gas has been
achieved during the current year. As a result it was
possible to ensure adequate supply of gas to all the
power plants and fertilizer factories. During the past
two years gas from four new wells has been connected to
the national grid by constructing four main
transmission pipe-lines. Last year the Sangu offshore
gas field started extraction under the production
sharing contract. Besides, steps have been taken for
laying gas pipeline over the Bangabandhu Bridge to make
gas available to the western region of the country. It
will be possible to supply gas to the Baghabari and
Sirajganj Power Plants during the current fiscal year.
75.
Four companies are now engaged in the exploration of oil
and gas in eight blocks under the production sharing
contract. Evaluation of the offers received in the
second round open bid for 12 blocks is now at the final
stage. Under this process five companies have been
invited for negotiation to finalise the contract.
An LPG plant of 5.000 tons capacity has been
constructed in Sylhet which will contribute in the
conservation of environment by supplying alternative
energy. Work for extraction of coal in the Barapukuria
Coal Mines is progressing fast and a coal based power
plant is being setup there. Side by side, works for the
extraction of hard rock in Maddhyapara are also
progressing at a fast pace.
Mr.Speaker.
76.
The Bangabandhu bridge has established a smooth
communication net-work between the eastern and the
northwestern region of the country. The bridge has the
provision for setting up railway track, gas, electricity
and T & T lines. Meanwhile, railway track and
electricity transmission lines have already been laid.
Over 2,300 vehicles are crossing the bridge daily and
about Tk. 15 lakh is being earned every day. On
completion of the access road from Dhaka, vehicular
traffic will further increase. Railway trains are now
plying from the western region to the eastern point of
the Bangabandhu Bridge. Work for linking the railway
link with the eastern region is also in progress.
77.
The government has taken up an extensive
programme for the improvement of road communication.
Works for the improvement of the road networks of Dhaka
- Comilla - Chittagong - Cox's Bazar, rehabilitation,
expansion and periodic repair works of the national
highways in north-west and south-west regions with the
assistance of the development partners, are in progress.
Improvement of the Dhaka - Tangail and Dhaka -
Chittagong highways under the Bangabandhu Bridge Access
Roads Project and construction and reconstruction of
bridges in Dhaka - Sylhet region are also going on.
Works for the Third Road Development Project and
Metropolitan Transportation Project with the World Bank
assistance will begin soon. Construction works of the
Pakshi bridge with Japanese assistance, Bhairab Bridge
with British assistance. Shikarpur - Duarika bridge and
Sylhet - Jaflong road with Kuwaiti assistance and
Gabkhan bridge with Chinese assistance are expected to
start soon. Preparatory work for the construction of the
Padma bridge on the river Padma on Dhaka - Mawa highway
and the Rupsha bridge on the river Rupsha in Khulna is
in progress. Besides, construction of the Garai,
Daratana and Mollarhat bridges with local funding has
already started. Preliminary work for the construction
of the Brahmaputra bridge in greater Mymensingh and the
Dharala bridge in greater Rangpur has also started.
Simultaneously, construction of the Bhola - Barisal -
Lakshmipur highway is also going on in full swing.
78.
Reconstruction, repair and maintenance of the national,
regional and feeder roads and bridges & culverts
damaged by flood have been taken in hand.
For this, additional allocation of Tk. 154 crore
has been provided in the current ADP. Arrangements for a
sum of 120 million from the World Bank and the Asian
Development Bank for the flood rehabilitation projects
are also at the final stage.
79.
With a view to providing better services to the
passengers, the Bangladesh Railway has taken various
steps and has also improved the quality of service by
involving private sector in the management of some
trains. Bangladesh Road Transport Authority has taken
effective steps to issue laminated plastic license.
Works for the establishment of five modern motor vehicle
testing centres with foreign collaboration are on the
verge of completion. The BRTC has made arrangements for
procurement of 200 double-decker buses to facilitate the
travelling public in Dhaka and other cities.
Meanwhile 42 double-decker buses have started
plying in Dhaka and Rajshahi cities.
80.
The government has formed the 'Greater Dhaka
Transport Planning and Coordination Board' for
improvement of traffic and transportation system in
Dhaka Metropolitan City. Under this Board construction
of some fly-overs, improvement of a number of road
junctions, introduction of road network for rickshaws,
re-organisation and expansion of bus service and
introduction of computerised traffic signals, have been
taken up. On completion of these works, traffic
congestion and environmental pollution in Dhaka City
will be reduced.
81.
In the shipping sector 32 development projects are under
implementation. To ease the congestion at the Chittagong
port government has taken steps to allow construction of
container terminal in the private sector as well. To
make overland transportation of cargo more attractive,
establishment of a separate Authority for land based
port is in progress. For the safety in shipping and to
protect shipping routes from pollution, two projects are
in last stage of completion. To modernise and upgrade
the shipping sector in order to face the challenges of
the twenty first century, a 'Shipping Policy' is under
preparation.
82.
With the expansion of international air transportation,
the Chittagong airport is being developed as the second
international airport of the country. Implementation of
this project will be completed by September, 2000. Steps
have been taken to upgrade the Sylhet airport into an
international airport. To improve passenger service at
the Zia International Airport, the international
terminal is being expanded and two new boarding bridges
installed. A separate cargo village is under
construction at Dhaka airport for efficient handling and
management of cargo. Construction of STOL airports at
Bogra and Bagerhat is nearing completion.
83.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has taken
appropriate steps for the expansion of the Dhaka
Sheraton and Sonargaon Hotels and construction of
additional accommodation facilities by both public and
private sectors to accommodate the guests of the
Non-Aligned Conference to be held in Dhaka in 2001.
Meanwhile, construction of hotels of
international standard has been taken up. To attract
foreign tourists 'Exclusive Tourism Zones' are being
created at Kuakata, Cox's Bazar, Khagrachari and
Bandarban. Besides, projects are underway to build
tourism infrastructures
at Khagrachari,
Bandarban, Chittagong and St. Martin's Island and
Inani in Cox's Bazar.
84.
In order to keep pace with the modern telecommunication
development in the world, Bangladesh has initiated
expansion of the telecommunication network and services
with her limited resources. The government has
formulated the long awaited 'National Telecommunication
Policy' for the development of a sound national
telecommunication infrastructure. This policy will
ensure expansion of telecommunication network all over
the country in meeting the long pending demand for
telephones and provide equal opportunity for fair
competition among the public and private operators for a
disciplined and balanced improvement of the
telecommunication services. Target has been set to raise
telephone density to one per 100 population by the year
2000 and to 4 by the year 2010. To achieve this target,
the number of telephones in the country will be
increased to 13 lakh by implementing projects in both
public and private sectors. Work on the installation of
67,500 digital telephones in Dhaka City with Japanese
assistance has started. Preliminary work for installing
3 lakh digital telephones by the private sector has also
started. Besides,
installation of 1.89 lakh digital telephones throughout
the country with Chinese collaboration is in progress.
Satellite phones will be introduced to provide advanced
telecommunication facilities. Besides, the e-mail and
internet connection have made exchange of data with the
outside world through V-SAT very easy and has opened up
the opportunity for the export of computer software and
data entry programmes.
85.
Bangladesh Post Office is now operating money order
services with 13 countries and postal insurance services
with 50 countries. During 1997-98 fiscal year 252 new
post offices were opened and a target has been set to
open 150 new post offices during the current year. A
project has been taken up to computerise postal life
insurance and postal savings accounts. This arrangement
will start functioning in 4 divisional headquarters by
next June.
Mr.
Speaker,
86.
Press in Bangladesh enjoys complete freedom. Consistent
with the free-market economic policies and the election
commitment of the government, the
government-owned newspapers, The Dainik Bangia,
The Bangladesh Times, The weekly Bichitra and the
fortnightly Ananda Bichitra, have been privatised. A
balanced policy is being pursued in the distribution of
government advertisements. The government has increased
rates for advertisement and raised budget allocation to
Tk.17.05 crore from Tk.l2 crore of the previous regime.
87.
The report submitted by the Committee formed to
recommend measures for granting autonomy to Radio and
Television is now under process. Permission has been
given to run TV channel in the private sector. The
proposal for granting permission to run radio in the
private sector is under process.
88.
To bring the whole country under TV coverage a
full-fledged TV centre in Cliittagong and relay stations
at Jhenaidah, Thakurgaon, Patuakhali and Barhmanbaria
have been commissioned. Construction of TV relay
stations at Rajshahi, Rangamati and Ukhia is going on. A
full-fledged radio station at Barisal will be
commissioned very soon. In the backdrop of the
Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty, transmission
capacity of the TV relay centre at Rangamati is being
strengthened. The Rangamati centre of Bangladesh Betar
has started airing its own programmes. The balancing,
modernisation and rehabilitation of the Dhaka centre of
the Bangladesh Television has been completed with
Japanese assistance. The auditorium and the OB van of
the Dhaka Television Centre have been modernised and
another modem OB van with six cameras has been procured
at a total cost of Tk.l5 crore with our own resources.
89.
The live broadcast of the parliamentary proceedings in
the TV and Radio through the programme 'Ajker Sangsad'
has been acclaimed by all quarters. The question-answer
session of the parliament is also being broadcast live
by Radio and Television.
Mr.
Speaker,
90.
The Cabinet has approved a four-tier local government
setup at village, union, thana and district levels on
the recommendations of the Local Government Commission
constituted to make the local government institutions
more broadly representative. Meanwhile, the Gram
Parishad Act has been passed by the Parliament. The
Union Parishad Ordinance was amended, incorporating
provisions for direct participation of women under which
elections to Union Parishads were also held last year.
Similarly, the Paurashava Ordinances have been
amended incorporating provisions for direct election of
women. The election schedule for the Paurashava
elections has been announced recently. The Upazila
Parishad Act has been passed in the Parliament to setup
local government at thana level in the name of 'Upazila
Parishad'. Implementation of a comprehensive long-term
project with UNDP assistance has started for the
training of the elected members and officials of Union
Parishads and Paurashavas. A committee has been
constituted to recommend on the financial authorities of
the local government institutions and to identify the
sources of revenue such as tax, toll, cess, fee etc.
91.
By-elections to the vacant Parliamentary seats of
Barisal-5 and Pabna-2 constituencies and the vacant
seats of Union Parishads and Paurashavas were held last
year, freely, fairly, peacefully and impartially.
92.
To facilitate holding of free, efficient and
impartial elections, work for the issuance of Identity
Cards for the voters has been initiated. Meanwhile, ID
cards for about 40% of the voters are ready for
distribution. Simultaneously, for ensuring preparation
and distribution of correct ID Cards, the Election
Commission undertook an elaborate programme at the field
level throughout the country to correct mistakes and
upgrade electoral rolls. Work for the preparation and
distribution of ID Cards after taking photographs of
voters has began again. The voters are expected to use
ID Cards to cast their votes in the next general
election. The voter ID Cards will not be limited for use
in voting only. A programme for the multipurpose use of
the ID Cards is also underway.
93.
The Election Commission has initiated a comprehensive
programme for the training of the polling personnel.
Steps have also been taken to reorganise the training
programme based on the local needs. Arrangements for
training of works of the political parties have also
been made under this programme.
94.
After the Seventh Parliament was constituted, various
steps have been taken towards manifestation of our
Parliamentary culture. During the Parliament session
every Tuesday any Hon'ble Member of Parliament can
directly ask questions to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on
the policy and administrative affairs of the government.
The Hon'ble Prime Minister's question-answer session of
has opened up a new chapter in the history of
Parliamentary democracy and accountability of the
government. Meanwhile, 35 Parliamentary Standing
Committees have been constituted with an Hon'ble Member
of Parliament who is not the concerned Minister as the
chairperson of each such Committee. With the
introduction of this system, the extent of
accountability to the Parliament has widened and
transparency of government activities increased.
Mr.
Speaker,
95.
The foreign policy of a country is, in essence,
an extended form of its internal policy and is also
complementary to such policy in many respects. The
formulation and conduct of our foreign policy is guided
by the domestic policies of the government and the
over-all national interests of the country. Despite
manifold limitations, our foreign policy goals of peace
and co-existence have earned much admiration around the
globe.
96.
World leaders, gathered at the NAM summit held in
South Africa last year, unanimously endorsed the
proposal for the hosting of the next NAM summit in 2001
in Bangladesh. We are taking appropriate measures for
organising this prestigious summit successfully.
Similarly, we have taken the responsibility of hosting
the next D-8 Summit. We hope, by hosting the summit
efficiently in the beginning of the current year we will
succeed in further brightening the image of our country.
The BIMSTEC meeting held in Dhaka at Foreign Ministers'
levies-last December opened a new horizon for wider
economic cooperation among the countries of the region.
97.
The initiative taken by our Hon'ble Prime Minister to
visit Pakistan and India after the testing of the
nuclear bombs, to defuse tension caused by the testing
of such bombs by the two countries was appreciated both
at home and abroad. Her participation
in the
SAARC summit
held in
Colombo significantly contributed to the efforts
in resolving the overall political, social and economic
problems of the region. The role played by Bangladesh
among the SAARC countries has been acclaimed as an
outcome of our successful foreign policy.
98.
The unanimous resolution adopted by the UN General
Assembly on the flood situation in Bangladesh and the
special resolutions adopted by the Commonwealth, the OIC,
the European Parliament and in the NAM summit held in
South Africa assuring assistance for combating flood,
are the manifestations of our successful foreign policy.
99.
The historic Ganges Water sharing Agreement concluded
with India was discussed in the US Congress and a
resolution was adopted congratulating the Government of
Bangladesh. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Agreement
for establishing peace in the region was widely
acclaimed abroad. The recently concluded Land Agreement
with Myanmar has resolved a longstanding border problem.
Mr.
Speaker,
100.
The international economic scene was quite eventful last
year. The south-east Asian countries were beset with
financial crisis. Even Japan, the second economic
super-power could not also escape from this crisis. This
had adverse impact on the economy of many countries all
over the world particularly the countries in Asia.
Bangladesh, however, did not feel the impact of this
crisis to that extent due to her pragmatic financial
reforms programme, appropriate monetary policy,
well-timed exchange rates, effective supervision of the
banking sector and judicious and bold steps taken in
maintaining balance in the income and expenditure of the
government. However,
the international financial crisis is not yet over. To
protect ourselves from this crisis we must be prudent,
efficient and very careful in the management of our
macro-economic parameters.
101.
We have passed 27 years since gaining our
independence. For a nation, 27 years may not be a long
period of time but for a generation the period is not
short either. We have created a unique history in
winning our freedom and in the establishment of
democracy. We all must be sincere in the pursuit of
economic development and in the practice and culture of
democracy. We must come out of the narrow confines of
party interests when it is the question of national
wellbeing. We must refrain from activities which may
cause harm to our economic development. In the back drop
of an open world economy, we have to survive competing
with the stronger economies. Therefore, we cannot
indulge in any activity or programme that is likely to
plunge our economic & productive infrastructure into
crisis.
102.
We are on the eve of the new century. To offer our
future generation of the next century, a prosperous,
stable and poverty-free society, let us work with
renewed zeal to materialise Bangabandhu's cherished
dream of 'Sonar Bangla' and thus bid farewell to the
20th century.
103.
Let me conclude, by thanking you and the Hon'ble Members
and wishing success for this Parliament.
Khoda
Hafez
Long
live Bangladesh
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