Unemployment allowance will be introduced for those above the age of 30, Jatiya Oikyafront said in its election manifesto unveiled today.

A commission will be formed to examine the state’s ability to introduce such an allowance system, it said.

There would be no age limit to joining government services except those of policy and defence forces.

There would be no quota except for the backward community and physically challenged people.

All vacant posts in government services will be filled up in the next three years.

A minimum allowance will be provided for the educated old people and they would be provided with part-time jobs.

Examinations for Primary Education Completion Certificate for class five students and Junior School certificate for class eight students will be cancelled.

A single admission test will be introduced for admission to all public universities.

Madrassa students will be educated in technical trainings and employment will be provided abroad for them. A commission will be formed for reform of Madrassa education with focus on employment.

WHAT IS JATIYA OIKYAFRONT?

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rob’s Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya.

The Oikyafront was formed on October 13 with the demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S AGENDAS?

Formed with major political oppositions to ruling alliance, the Oikyafront includes ruling Awami League’s arch opposition BNP.

Currently, they are campaigning with a seven-point charter including freedom for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and election under a nonpartisan government.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S DEMANDS?

The 11-point goal announced by the alliance includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration, freeing MPs from the stringent restrictions imposed on them under article 70 of the constitution, formation of a constitutional commission to make appointments to all constitutional and other important posts and full independence of the judiciary.

The alliance also announced a seven-point demand, including the one for holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and reconstitution of the Election Commission.

Jatiya Oikyafront today decided to hold a mass hearing programme on February 24, bringing allegations of vote rigging, balloting stuffing and violence in the December 30 national election.

The Oikyafront leaders took the decision in a steering committee meeting with Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain in the chair at their Paltan office, according to a press release.

The steering and coordination committee members of the Oikyafront will hold a preparatory meeting on February 17 to make the mass hearing programme a success, it said.

Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today describing the BNP-led Oikyafront’s decision to boycott parliament as “politically wrong” reiterating her call to them to join the Jatiya Sangsad.

BNP-led Jatiya Oikyafront took part in the December 30 national election and secured a total of eight seats including six of its key partner BNP.

Soon after the election, both the BNP and the Oikyafront rejected the polls result bringing numerous allegations including vote rigging, ballot stuffing and widespread violence during the election.

The eight leaders elect in the election have yet taken oath as the lawmakers of the 11th parliament.

Under article 67 (1) (a) of the constitution, lawmakers' seats fall vacant if they fail to take oath within 90 days from the date of the first sitting of the House.

Faster internet service has been switched back on 37 hours into its suspension.

The 3G and 4G service have been resumed at 10:00am, a spokesperson with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) told The Daily Star this morning.

Most of the private telecommunications operators also confirmed about it.  

The services were switched off at 9:00pm on December 30 (election day) three hours after restoring the mobile internet.

During the period, people were not able to use the internet on their phones, stream or upload pictures or videos.

This the third time the telecom regulator shut down the 3G and 4G services in last two days.

According to the BTRC, there were 8.78 crore active internet connections in the country as of June this year and mobile phone connections accounted for 93.43 per cent.

As of November of 2018, over 6 crore people are currently using the 3G and 4G mobile internet.

According to BTRC data, there were 57.35 lakh broadband connections in November.

On December 26, the BTRC in a meeting with the International Internet Gateway representatives said social media sites, especially Facebook, would be blocked if needed.

BTRC in the night of the following day slowed down mobile internet by shutting down 3G and 4G services. However, the service was restored on Friday morning 10 hours into its suspension.

Stern actions will be taken against persons responsible for banking scams and the Bangladesh Bank will be given full autonomy to run the banking sector, Jatiya Oikyafront said in its manifesto.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya and a leader of the Oikyafront, read out the manifesto in a press briefing at a hotel in Dhaka today.

Manna said corruption during the current government’s tenure will be investigated and the persons found involved will be brought to justice.

The Anti -Corruption Commission will be made truly independent, the alliance said in its election promises.

The provision to get prior government permission to arrest civil servants will be scrapped, Oikyafront leader Manna said.

He further said effective measures will be taken to stop flight of capital and money already laundered will be brought back.

No on-going projects will be cancelled but a committee will be formed to review the projects taken hurriedly in the last two years, he said.

Actions will be taken against share market scamsters, he added.

WHAT IS JATIYA OIKYAFRONT?

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rob’s Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya.

The Oikyafront was formed on October 13 with the demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S AGENDAS?

Formed with major political oppositions to ruling alliance, the Oikyafront includes ruling Awami League’s arch opposition BNP.

Currently, they are campaigning with a seven-point charter including freedom for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and election under a nonpartisan government.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S DEMANDS?

The 11-point goal announced by the alliance includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration, freeing MPs from the stringent restrictions imposed on them under article 70 of the constitution, formation of a constitutional commission to make appointments to all constitutional and other important posts and full independence of the judiciary.

The alliance also announced a seven-point demand, including the one for holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and reconstitution of the Election Commission.