PM blames it on BNP

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has blamed BNP for the ongoing stockmarket crisis and price hike of essentials.
“BNP has created issues for calling hartal by manipulating the share market and hoarding essential commodities,” said Hasina at the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday.
After the meet held at Bangladesh Secretariat, the premier also discussed the issues with ministers, cabinet sources said.
She directed the authorities concerned to identify the culprits behind the crises and take stern actions.
“Pro-BNP businessmen hoard rice and contribute to the rise in prices. They [BNP] then get an issue and call hartal in protest at the price hike,” prime minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad quoted her as saying.
The main opposition's stance is self-contradictory, Hasina said.
The premier told ministers that the BNP resorts to share market manoeuvring but subsequently criticises the government for the scam. The evil practice cannot be allowed to continue, Hasina said.
The ruling Awami League chief also said yesterday's hartal was in no way justified since the government fulfilled their demands. She said the hartal ahead of World Cup Cricket has damaged the country's image.
However, the cabinet approved Tree Protection Act 2011 and Wildlife Protection Act 2010 to protect the forest trees and wildlife, the press secretary said.
The cabinet also approved trade treaty between Bangladesh and Kuwait to enhance bilateral economic ties.
Besides, a presentation on introduction of digital signature and certificate in the government activities was made before the cabinet. With these applications, e-commerce including online trading, bidding, tax paying, increasing the number of taxpayers and communications with different divisional headquarters would be easier, Azad added.