JS condoles deaths of eminent personalities
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) yesterday recalled late fisheries and livestock minister Sayeedul Hoque, MP, for his lifelong endeavour to work for the people's wellbeing.
The prime minister made the remarks after the JS speaker moved obituary references for eminent personalities who passed away in 2017. They include minister Sayeedul Hoque, lawmaker Gholam Mostafa Ahmed, former deputy speaker Akhter Hamid Siddiqui, former MLA Fazlur Rahman Bhuiyan, former MP Joynal Abedin Sarker, former Chittagong mayor ABM Mahiuddin Chowdhoury and Dhaka North mayor Annisul Huq.
The House also adopted the motion at the death of Language Movement veterans -- Muhammad Taqiullah, Joynal Abedin, Advocate Daliluddin and Abdul Latif, noted musician Bari Siddique, noted dance artist Rahiza Khanam Jhunu and Walton founder chairman Nazrul Islam.
Adopting the references to express deep respect for the contribution made by the deceased in their respective fields, the JS prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved families.
The JS also expressed deep shock at the deaths of people who lost their lives in different accidents during the period.
While speaking about minister Sayeedul after the condolence motion was adopted, Sheikh Hasina, the Leader of the House, said he was a popular leader who ran the ministry with utmost sincerity. “If a politician works with honesty, he/she is rewarded by the people... He was such a leader who was not defeated even during the BNP regime.”
Hasina also recalled Gholam Mostafa Ahmed, who was killed in a road accident. “He was a school teacher and a poet. Though he did not get enough time as a parliamentarian, he was also a popular leader.”
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, Health Minister Mohammed Nasim, Law Minister Anisul Haq, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, spoke, among others, on the condolence motion.
The 19th session of the 10th parliament commenced earlier in the day with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
The JS session, staring at 4:30pm every day, will continue till February 28. There will be no session on Fridays, Saturdays, government holidays and on January 8, 20 and 22.
Before the beginning of the session, the duration of this year's sessions was set at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), headed by the speaker.
The meeting also empowered the speaker to extend or shorten a session's duration as necessary.
The BAC also decided that 45 hours of discussions will be held on the thanks-giving motion on the president's speech.