Hasina, Khaleda to rally together against poverty

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia will address an anti-poverty rally tomorrow from the same dais and take oath to fight together to eradicate poverty, Speaker Abdul Hamid said yesterday.

The speaker will chair the rally and conduct the oath at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in the capital as part of observance of the International Day for Eradication of Poverty.

Ministers, lawmakers, politicians, diplomats and civil society personalities have been invited to join the programme organised by the national committee for anti-poverty campaign headed by the speaker.

To mark the day, the committee has also taken up different programmes across the country. These include holding rallies in cities, district towns and upazila headquarters. Donor agencies will provide $1.28 lakh for this.

Briefing journalists at parliament's media centre, Hamid said the presence of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia on the same dais as chief guest and special guest 'will be a major success.'

Asked if he would take any initiative to ensure participation of lawmakers of the main opposition party BNP in the House discussion on the draft Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), the speaker just said, “Taking step to bring them to parliament is normal.”

He however did not specify any step to end BNP lawmakers' keeping off parliament sittings.

Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque, who is a member of the national committee, was also present at the briefing.

Replying to a question referring to Khaleda's addressing the anti-poverty rally, Zainul said they (BNP lawmakers) want to participate in the discussion on the PRSP.

“We hope, the speaker will take necessary steps to create a congenial atmosphere in parliament so that we can join the discussion,” he said.

When the speaker's attention was drawn to Zainul's remark, he said he would take fresh steps in this regard after tomorrow's programme.

BNP lawmakers have been boycotting the House proceedings since June over seating arrangements.

Meanwhile, the House could not hold discussion on the PRSP on Sunday due to absence of a number of ministers and senior lawmakers. And it decided to hold the discussion anytime after it resumes sitting on October 28.

Planning Minister AK Khandker yesterday placed the draft of the amended PRSP involving an estimated expenditure of Tk 3,108 billion to achieve its goals and targets.