National broadcast act in 6 months

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday told parliament that the National Broadcast Act would be formulated in six months.

Replying to a query, he said the National Broadcast Commission would be formed after the enactment of the act and the commission would enforce the law after reviewing the contents aired on television channels.

In response to another query, the minister said the National Medicine Policy-2005 places restrictions on advertising illegal health products and instructions have been given to TV channels to this end.

He also told the House that initiatives have been taken to set up television centres in five divisional            headquarters at a total cost of Tk 997 crore.

68 PERCENT WITH ELECTRICITY

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in parliament said 68 percent of the country's population now have access to electricity, and by 2021 every household would have electricity connections.

Replying to queries on behalf of State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu, Kamal said the current  government has taken initiatives to take the power generation capacity to 24,000MW by 2021. The capacity at the moment is 11,265MW.

JP URGES GOVT TO CONTAIN VIOLENCE

Opposition Leader Raushan Ershad told parliament they stand beside the government with their full strength in containing the ongoing violence in the country.

She castigated the BNP-led alliance for resorting to violence and chaos, and urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to deal with the troublemakers with an iron hand.

Raushan also praised the premier for her bold stance against              violence.

Thanking the opposition leader, Food Minister Qamrul Islam said that no discussion would be held with the BNP.