Attempts to disturb peace won't be tolerated: PM
UNB, Adamjeenagar
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the country has to be maintained to implement the development programmes initiated by the government and cautioned that any attempt to disturb the situation would not be tolerated."Development is possible only if there is political stability," she said while addressing a public meeting at Adamjeenagar ground. The prime minister assured continued efforts of the government to further improve the situation and warned that whoever was involved in terrorism would not be spared. She alleged that the past Awami League (AL) government offered the nation nothing but terrorism and corruption and turned the country into a "vassal state". "The BNP-led coalition government inherited a ruined economy, terrorism and corruption but has worked relentlessly to improve the situation," the prime minister told the rally. She said the government has decided to set up an export processing zone (EPZ)in the area of the closed Adamjee Jute Mills. Referring to the retrenchment of the workers of the gigantic jute mills, she said new industries will create employment opportunity for many people. Khaleda said certain quarters who do not want foreign investment are spreading misleading information and misguiding the people. She mentioned the development in countries like Malaysia, saying they did not have to experience frequent hartals and destructive programmes. The prime minister however noted with satisfaction that the foreign investors are not misled by the quarters and are coming up with investments. "Peaceful atmosphere has to be maintained at any cost to attract foreign investment," she asserted. She said the training programmes for retrenched workers and a scheme of lending Tk 75,000 to each of them are aimed at improving their skill and creating self-employment opportunity. Mentioning the post-flood rehabilitation programmes, including loans for farmers, she said the government measures ensured due price of products to the growers. The prime minister made some pledges for the development of the locality, like construction of a bridge over the Shitalakhya and a permanent solution to the waterlogging problem inside the DND (Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra) embankment. Earlier, the prime minister had inaugurated a gas-fired 210-megawatt thermal power plant at Shiddhirganj.
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