No one will be spared

The government's zero tolerance policy against corruption will continue and none will be spared, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said in parliament.

She said, "We pledge to establish good governance and root out corruption.

"Honourable Speaker, I want to inform this August House through you that the government will continue its drives against corruption to continue the development trend of this country and uphold our achievements."

Hasina also said that her government had taken various measures for giving treatment to Covid-19 patients.

She informed the parliament that the government would soon recruit 2,000 more doctors and 4,000 nurses in a bid to ensure treatment to the coronavirus patients.

"More 2,000 posts of doctors have been created. We'll recruit more 4,000 nurses and I've already given this directive to the health minister. They'll be recruited soon," she said.

The premier said the government had already recruited 2,000 doctors and 6,000 nurses in a short time to ensure treatment to the patients.

"Besides, the recruitment process for 3,000 posts of medical technologists, cardiographers and lab attendants already started," she said.

Then the prime minister said that her government arranged accommodation in hotels, foods and transports for the doctors, nurses and health workers who are directly engaged in the healthcare services to the Covid-19 patients.

Pointing at an allegation raised by Deputy Opposition Leader and Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader in the House earlier, Hasina said the cost of Tk 20 crore against hotel rent and foods of a medical college seems to be a bit unusual to her.

"We're investigating it as to why it is so unusual. We'll take action if any irregularity occurred there and in any other places."

Earlier taking part in the discussion on the proposed budget, GM Quader in his speech raised the issue saying that doctors and health workers of Dhaka Medical College Hospital spent Tk 20 crore against their foods and stay in hotels which is doubtful.

Mentioning that the government has been trying to protect the people of the country from the coronavirus, Sheikh Hasina said among the Covid-19 infected people, the death rate in Bangladesh is 1.26 percent, while death rate in Covid-19 is 3.08 percent in India, 2.03 percent in Pakistan, 14.03 percent in the UK and 5 percent in the USA.

She said it was possible to keep the low death rate in Bangladesh due to the government's proper measures.

The premier assured people that the Awami League government will strongly face whatever hard crisis emerges in future in the country and ensure that none will remain unfed.

Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, said her government has taken a comprehensive action plan to offset the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 on the economy.