Ganoparishad session resumes today

October 19, 1972            

GENERAL DISCUSSION ON CONSTITUTION

The general discussion on the constitution bill begins in the Ganoparishad today. Top leaders of the ruling party and at least one MCA from each district are expected to participate in the general discussion. The lone opposition member from the National Awami Party (NAP) Suranjit Sengupta and two independent members will also join the discussion.

It may be recalled that Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has already made his preliminary remarks on the draft constitution when the bill was placed in the Ganoparishad on the opening day of its current session on October 12, 1972.

Meanwhile, the two-day meeting of the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) concluded yesterday. The ALPP has received about 750 proposals for amendments to the draft constitution from the ruling party MCAs. Only those amendments proposals which will be considered acceptable to the ALPP will be allowed to be moved on to the floor of the House. The opposition and independent members are also expected to move some amendments. 

YOGOSLAV AID FOR CHALNA PORT REPAIR

Bangladesh is likely to sign an agreement with Yugoslavia providing for $1.85 crore for the reconstruction of Chalna Port. A Yugoslav team is currently in the city to finalise the deal and negotiations with Bangladesh. With the finalisation of the deal, the construction work which was started in pre-Liberation period with Yugoslav aid would be resumed. It is further learnt that the UNROD will finalise its worldwide tender for undertaking the salvage work at the port. Meanwhile Bangladesh government has undertaken an ambitious scheme for the reconstruction of the Chalna port and a little over Tk 4 crore have been provided in the current budget.

IMF TEAM MAKING ECONOMIC SURVEY

A six-member acquaintance mission of the International Monetary Fund is currently making an economic survey of Bangladesh. The team would study the economic position of the country in different sectors.

SOURCES: October 20, 1972, issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.