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Published On: 2008-12-12 Front Page
Polls Manifesto
JP pledges 8 provinces
Unb, Dhaka
Jatiya Party (JP) yesterday promised to establish a terrorism, corruption and misrule-free society if voted to power.
Releasing a 12-page election manifesto at Hotel Sundarban in the capital, party chief HM Ershad expressed his determination to form the next government.
Under its administrative reform agenda, JP pledged to divide the country into eight provinces having provincial assembly and provincial cabinet.
Ershad said at least 50 percent head offices in the capital will be relocated to elsewhere in the country if his party is elected to power. He also pledged to introduce upazila system with courts.
The JP manifesto has put population control high on its agenda and pledged to make available birth control materials free of cost. It will also give cash rewards to the parents who will adopt permanent family planning after having one or two children.
Ershad said poor people and slum-dwellers in each ward, union and upazila will be registered and given rice, pulses and edible oil for free. These poor people will also be given free medical treatment at community clinic, union health and family welfare complex.
Besides, landless people will be given government land on long-term basis through land reforms.
On food security, Ershad said necessary subsidy will be given to bring food prices within the buying capacity of the common people.
For energy security, the Jatiya Party will formulate policy to use coal in energy production and set up Rooppur nuclear power plant with foreign assistance.
On defence, Ershad said the army will be involved in the country's development activities. He said they will arrange housing for retired soldiers and policemen in each district. In the manifesto, JP promised to establish a society free from militancy and terrorism.
In education sector, JP will introduce free education for both male and female students up to HSC and increase salary of registered private school teachers to the level of government schoolteachers.
Ershad said girls' cadet school will be set up in each division, including one at Pairabandh in Rangpur in honour of Begum Rokeya.
On public health, he said each doctor passed from a government medical college would have to serve at least two years at union health complex before getting chance of acquiring higher degree. He will introduce nurses' training college in each district.
In agriculture sector, Ershad said JP will ensure agriculture inputs at fair prices as well as fair price for agricultural produce. He also pledged to set up “Palli Bank” to help farmers.
On social front, JP will ensure allowances for elderly and incapable citizens from the state and re-establish “Pathakoli” Trust to impart education to child labourers.
In the communications sector, JP will construct flyovers and new roads to ease traffic congestions in Dhaka and outside. A modern launch terminal will be set up at Pagla to relocate the central launch terminal from Sadar Ghat in the city.
Besides, Ershad pledges to construct Padma and Teest Bridges and deepsea port at Kutubdia.
In industrial and economic sector JP will encourage foreign investors to build industries in Bangladesh. Besides, incentives will be given for establishing fisheries and poultry industries and agri-industry in Monga-prone and underdeveloped areas.
If voted to power, his government will give priority to giving jobs to children of freedom fighters and increase allowances for the registered freedom fighters. |
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