PM pledges balance of power
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the local government system would be strengthened through striking balance of power and coordination in function between members of parliament and upazila chairmen.
She also said her government believes in decentralisation of administrative power as their highest priority is to ensure maximum welfare of the mass people.
The PM made the remarks when Ambassador of Switzerland Dora Rapold, also Dean of the diplomatic corps, paid a farewell call on her at the PM's Office.
Her assurances about balance of power in the local government came in the wake of unhappiness on part of the newly elected upazila chairmen following new rules that made MPs functional advisers of the respective local body.
PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed newsmen after the meeting, where Bangladesh's socioeconomic and administrative situation as well as the upcoming world conference on climate change came up for discussion.
Hasina thanked the Swiss envoy for her government's cooperation in holding the December 29 polls "in a free, fair, neutral and acceptable manner, restoring and strengthening parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh."
The premier also recalled the contribution of Bangladesh Armed Forces in formulating a flawless voter list with photographs during the immediate past caretaker government's rule following the demand of Awami League and its allies.
"The patriotic people of Bangladesh had been very spontaneous in casting their vote in the last general election as they were in long wait for democracy," Hasina said.
The prime minister and the envoy also recalled the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hasina said Bangabandhu's dream was to build Bangladesh as 'the Switzerland of the East'.
As the PM urged Dora to help Bangladesh in removing the country's employment crisis by way of promoting investment here in larger volumes, the envoy assured her of increased Swiss investment and assistance in various sectors, including vocational training, for socioeconomic development of the country.
The envoy handed over an invitation letter from the Swiss prime minister to Hasina to attend the World Climate Conference to be held there in September.
The PM and the Swiss envoy both expressed the hope that the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Switzerland would be strengthened further in the days to come.
PM's Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman and former ambassador Ziauddin were present.
Comments