‘Need to make adjustments on many issues while discharging duty’

In face of blistering attack from the opposition MPs over anarchic situation and recent fatal accidents on roads, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today told parliament that while discharging duty as a minister he needs to make "adjustments" on many issues.

"There are so many problems here. You will have to face so many things when you sit in the chair (assume the office). While discharging my duty as a minister, I need to make adjustments on many issues," he said.

The minister admitted that bringing discipline on roads and in transport sector is a must for the country.

Obaidul Quader said, "We talk too much. But we don't work that much. We don't implement those jobs what we believe in and what we materialise, we don't believe in that."

Earlier participating in the discussion during the passage on the "Highway Bill-2021", several MPs of BNP and Jatiya Party came down heavily on the minister and the government for the sorry state on the road and transport sector.

They also criticised the minister for reducing the severity of punishment and financial penalty in the road, transport Bill-2018 due to pressure from the transport owners and workers.

In face of the strong criticism of the MPs over the fatal road accidents, the minister said, not only reckless driving and drivers are responsible for road accidents, pedestrians' irresponsible crossing of roads are also causes.

He also said VIPs tend not to follow traffic rules are also responsible. 

Participating in the discussion, Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque Chunnu asked, what is the government doing?

"Two people were killed in two days. How can a driver of the city corporation hire other people to drive the vehicle?" he questioned.

Pointing to his party's MP Mashiur Rahman Ranga sitting next to him, Chunnu said, "The president of the Road Transport Owners Association is sitting next to me. President is from the Jatiya Party and the general secretary is from the Awami League. The president of the transport workers' organisation is from the Awami League and the secretary from the Communist Party."

BNP MP Harunur Rashid said the students had taken to the streets demanding road safety and half bus fare, but the ruling party cadres swooped on them with stick and roads. 

"I want to know what action has been taken against those who carried out the attack?" he asked.

BNP MP Rumeen Farhana said the government has reduced the punishment by amending the Road, Transport Bill-2018 under pressure of transport owners and workers.

She also demanded that the government enact a law to introduce half fare for students on all types of public transport across the country.

In response to the MPs' criticism, Quader said, "I would like to assure you all that the law (Road Safety Bill) has not relaxed or reduced the punishment in any way."

On half fare for students, Quader said the government has already prepared a gazette to provide the facilities in BRTC operated buses across the country which will come into effect from December 1.

In response to the allegation of attack on students by BCL men, he said this is not true as BCL supports this demand.

"Someone else in the name of BCL might have carried out the attack," he added.