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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that White Papers should be published on corruption committed during the regimes of the immediate past caretaker government, and the BNP-led alliance government before that.
The government will take steps in this regard, she said replying to Awami League lawmaker Mujibul Huq during the question-answer session.
In response to another question from independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim, the premier strongly criticised BNP-led opposition lawmakers for boycotting parliament since its second day in session, demanding more seats in the front row of the House.
She said BNP lawmakers have more seats in the front row than they deserve according to their representation ratio in the House.
Citing that Awami League (AL) lawmakers were given only six seats in the front row in the last parliament by a BNP-led alliance majority, although AL had 58 seats in the House, the premier added, "How could they demand what they had denied us when we had been the opposition?"
In reply to Mujibul Huq's question, the prime minister said, "I support the proposal for publishing White Papers on corruption. It's necessary to publish the White Papers, and the government will take appropriate steps for that."
"Of course the White Papers should be published," the leader of the House said amid desk thumping of treasury bench lawmakers.
A BNP-Jamaat-led alliance government upon assuming power in 2001 published White Papers on the corruption committed during the last Awami League (AL) regime between 1996 and 2001.
Asked whether the government will disclose the list of individuals who were involved in corruption and laundered money abroad during the regimes of BNP-led four-party alliance and the caretaker government, the premier declined to divulge details, for the sake of investigation.
“Although much information is coming to me from abroad, I can't disclose those for the sake of investigation. Efforts are on to bring back the money laundered by the corrupt," the premier said.
Hasina, who was also the prime minister between 1996 and 2001, said it is true that massive corruption took place and a large amount of money was laundered abroad during the BNP-led alliance government, news about which are also being published in newspapers.
She also criticised former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former finance minister M Saifur Rahman for 'whitening their black money'.
In reply to a query of AL lawmaker also former law minister, Abdul Matin Khasru, the premier said the government will form a committee to investigate the repression and injustices inflicted on Awami League activists during the BNP-led alliance regime. Actions will be taken following investigation, so the victims may get justice, she asserted.
The premier also warned members of law enforcement agencies of stern actions on their failure to protect the lives and properties of the people.
"Those responsible for committing crimes must be brought to book. But members of law enforcement agencies will also be made accountable and tried for their failure to carry out their duties," the prime minister warned.
She also said individuals with criminal records who managed to join the police during the BNP-led alliance regime will be identified, and appropriate measures will be taken regarding them.
In reply to a question of AL-led grand alliance lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon, the prime minister said she has always been against extra judicial killings.
"The government will remain alert to stop extra judicial killings and those found to be involved in such crimes will be brought to justice," she said adding, the culture of extra judicial killings raised its head during the BNP-led alliance government after it had launched Operation Clean Heart and formed Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).
The premier however added 'it might take some time to change their habit of extra judicial killings'.
In reply to a written question of BNP lawmaker Joynal Abedin who was absent in the House due to the opposition's boycott, the premier read from a written answer that the government will take necessary steps to make the newly formed Human Rights Commission strengthened and effective.
She also said her government is committed to make the parliament the centre of all government activities.
In reply to another question, she said her government will take necessary steps to turn Rangpur into a division, and it is working to set up two public universities there, one of which will be for women.
She also spoke about the power sector, describing her government's plan to generate more power to meet the increasing demand.
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Thursday, February 12, 2009 08:39 AM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
We do support strongly PM's position but it should be realistic. If it happens only for 2001-2006 and latest caretaker govt. era. Why shouldn't be for past 1996-2001 era?
Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:27 AM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
Of course some of the positive initiatives of the Parliament is very appreciable and the general public would be happy if the real and authentic picture of money laundering (if any or other financial mismanagement) could be brought to the light and take appropriate action as per law of the country but not on the basis of political deformation
Corruption of this country is very old aged history and problem and it reached highest pick sometimes mid of eighties and since then it has been strode and pervaded in all spares of life including political arena.
It is not a very easy to root out the corruptions so fast, if we do not have the minimum standard of earnings for the service holders and similarly to the others with extreme commitment, honesty and religious faith.
I think, Government should take all these good initiatives to bend corruptions and other misrules of the Country aiming to reach ultimate objective which we have been dreaming since independence.
As the present Government has shown the new theme and dimensions to the Country people with the word days of change and we feel, to have the changes in positive ways breaking all traditional political, social barriers , between Ruling and Opposition and others and marching together to build a nation and the country , which we are far behind from other neighboring Countries in Asia . We are having many natural resources, manpower but we only need the commitment, proper directions, dedication and goodwill and setting goals with honesty, sincerity to move forward with clear vision and mission but not squabble with the issues that could easily jeopardizes many of our good initiatives with concept of looking forwards and learning from the past.
Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:41 AM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
Thanks PM for this initiative, but I think it should not be biased and to get political win over the opposition. With a great concern we are observing that we are again walking through our old highway.The opposition is boycotting the parliament and the Govt. party blaming the previous govt. But we as well as the whole world are in a great trouble. We want you see that you are discussing more on how to solve those problems.
Thursday, February 12, 2009 12:05 PM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
Demanding for seats in the front row of the House by BNP-led alliance made the people of the country think that they are still children, In fact no maturity they have. On the other hand Grand alliance may give them all seats in the front row as this would be convenient for ruling party to finger-point them as misdoing culprit during their ruling period.
I think making them all be seated at front will enhance ruling party's good will.
Further more, please publish while paper on crime committed during the regimes of CG and of course BNP-led alliance government.
Thursday, February 12, 2009 02:31 AM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
Why not publish Bangladesh Awami League's white paper? If required also publish why the law and order has been deteriorating in the country after BAL got into power, why students are fighting on the road, why many of the educational institutions are closed, why there is no sign of change that BAL promised in the election pledges.
Thursday, February 12, 2009 12:03 PM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
I am very happy to see that our PM is keen on WP. My request to our honourable PM would be not only to publish the WP(White Papers) but also to take action against those who have plundered our national wealth.
In the past we have seen many WP, but no action. I don't remember anyone getting punished. So, we would like to see actions, not only words or only WPs.
Moreover, there may be some corrupts also in AL camp including the great Ershad who's corruption does not need any proof.
Dear PM, this is your last chance to make a big impact in the history of this country. We want to see you as a successful PM and a national hero.
So, please stand up and deliver what we 145 mns people are looking for.
Thursday, February 12, 2009 03:50 PM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
Because you sprinkled water so you would get the bash of row now. Where is the beautiful change then? However, the opposition is losing valuable days of parliament session on a trifling issue. Parliament is not the dormitorial alcove, it is the centre for National debate. Without the opposition and the Article 70 in force the parlianent is a free field for the Treasury bench to walk over. As for white paper on BNP And Caretaker Govt. periods only, it will be an exercise in futility if not the Al period is also included which this Govt. will never do. Here is the tragedy where lies the root of corruption.
Thursday, February 12, 2009 04:47 PM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
Is it another move to vindicate opposition or similar action will be taken againt her own party members as well. Otherwsie, it is same wine in different bottle ! Hope people can keep trust upon you PM!!
Thursday, February 12, 2009 05:23 PM GMT+06:00 (52 weeks ago)
Throughout our political history we have seen commitments followed by practices on the part of the ruling party to bring out white paper on corruption of the previous regime. How far it is acted upon or how successfully is another matter. But nothing is done to publish the misdeeds or at least the mistakes of the ruling party as if the ruling party does no mistake and does nothing wrong. This culture has become innate in our political system. Result: however much the white paper contains truth and nothing but truth the public take this with a fistful of salt.That is why we would urge the government to objectively analyse all cases of corruption of the past, whether committed by BNP,CG or AL.