Covid-19 Response: BNP MP blasts health minister in JS
BNP MP Harunur Rashid yesterday demanded removal of Health Minister Zahid Maleque and appointment of competent and committed people in key posts of the ministry to tackle the pandemic.
The lawmaker from Chapainawabganj-3 made the demands after taking part in the general discussion on the proposed budget for fiscal 2020-21 in parliament.
He said, "The Directorate General of Health Services has become a crippled organisation. Bring changes to the key posts in the health ministry and remove its minister. Replace them with competent and committed ones."
Lambasting the minister, Harun said, "Has he visited any hospital and enquired about the miseries physicians and patients are facing there due to Covid-19?"
In the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the BNP MP alleged that none of the DGHS director general, directors, and their personal assistants received his phone calls and replied to his texts in the last 10 days.
"I even requested him [director general] to call back when he would be free, but he didn't do so."
He also mentioned that Bangladesh Medical Association, a pro-Awami League physicians' platform, blamed the ministry and the DGHS for doctors dying and the existing coronavirus crisis.
"Even the recently visited Chinese experts also expressed disappointment over the Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh," Harun said.
Noting that a national crisis has now been created in the country, Harun said if the coronavirus crisis lasts for next two-three years as said by the DG Health, it will be truly a huge challenge.
"So, we need to forge a national unity to face this challenge," he said.
He also demanded withdrawing cases filed against BNP leaders including, its Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
At that time, the treasury bench lawmakers raised a hue and cry interrupting the BNP MP's speech.
Earlier, the BNP lawmaker began his speech uttering "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun".
Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, who was presiding over the sitting at that time, wanted to know why he started his speech with such words, which Rabbi claimed to be unprecedented in the history of parliament.
In reply, the BNP lawmaker said he would explain as to why he uttered the words, but did not do so in his 12-minute stipulated speech.
Criticising Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Harun said an absurd target was set for revenue collection in the proposed budget.
"VAT collection target is much higher than that of the previous budget. Still there is a time. I would like to tell the finance minister to place the budget again after revising it."
Mentioning that the inspector general of police is now coming up with new advice for its members, Harun said police destroyed people's rights and helped hold the questionable parliamentary election in 2018.
Police have now turned into a "servant force of the AL", he alleged.
The treasury bench MPs also interrupted Harun's speech at that time through shouting.
The deputy speaker later expunged the questionable word from his speech.
Harun also sought additional time to complete his speech, but the deputy speaker initially refused it.
Later, he asked Harun to speak for one more minute. But Harun staged a walkout from the House, saying that he was given the time on Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina's instructions.
"I will not speak. As the guardian of parliament, you [deputy speaker] should take fair measures for all of us. I am very upset that you interrupted me during my speech. I am walking out of parliament, protesting it," Harun said.
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