No"petty' politics please, pleads President

President Shahabuddin Ahmed yesterday appealed to politicians and people to give up petty party or personal interest for the sake of the nation, reports UNB.

"We have created a unique history as a sacrificing nation for democracy. We will have to give priority to national interest above all to consolidate the foundations of democracy and bring about economic freedom," he said in his New Year's address to Parliament.

The President's call came as the main opposition parties stayed away from the House, demanding fresh elections. Members of Jatiya Party (Mizan-Manju) and JSD, however, were present.

In his speech, Shahabuddin did not touch upon the current political impasse, nor did he mention anything about the absence of the opposition lawmakers from the House.

He, however, said since the election of the seventh parliament, the present government has been trying to make the Parliament the nucleus of all national activities.

The President said transparency and accountability of the government had been ensured by making MPs chairmen of parliamentary standing committees instead of ministers. These committees are playing more effective role than before, by regularly reviewing the activities of the ministries, when necessary, on matters of public interest.

The President narrated government's performance in different national sectors in last three and a half years and its future policy and programmes.

As the President highlighted the success stories of the government, treasury bench members cheered him thumping desks. The chairs in the opposition desks remained empty.

A planned celebration of the new millennium by Parliament members was marred by the opposition abstention. However, desks in both treasury and opposition sides were bedecked with red roses. Many MPs of the ruling party entered the House with red roses stuck on their jackets or panjabis.

Foreign diplomats and high civil and military officials attended the opening of the New Year's session of Parliament. This is 16th session of the seventh Parliament.

Praising the diplomatic successes in the country's external affairs, the President observed the government was very active for world peace, democracy and human rights.

International community at different forums acclaimed the constructive foreign policy pursued by Bangladesh, he said, adding the unanimous election of Bangladesh to a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2000-2001 is a glaring example of such recognition.

The plan for holding NAM summit in Dhaka in 2001, he said, reflects the confidence of international community reposed on Bangladesh.

On domestic affairs, the President said to accelerate the development activities in Chittagong Hill Tracts, the ADP allocation has been increased. In addition, a lump-sum amount has also been allocated for designing and implementing development schemes at local level by the three Hill District Councils.

Referring to the Public Administration Reforms Commission, he said the commission has so far submitted 27 interim recommendations to the government on matters like receipt of application from general public at the Secretariat, disposal of cases within stipulated time, "one-stop" payment of utility bills, simplification of procedures of issuance of passport and driving licence, voluntary retirement of government servants etc.

The President said some recommendations have already been implemented and steps are being taken to implement the remaining recommendations. He hoped that with implementation of these recommendations, efficiency and dynamism in the administration would improve.

About defence modernisation plan, he said National Defence College, the Military Institute of Science and Technology, the Armed Forces Medical College and Peacekeeping Operation Centre have already started functioning to foster professionalism and excellence in the Armed Forces.

To strengthen Air Force, the President told the House, advanced fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopter, radar and arms and ammunition have been added to its fleet. A modern frigate is being procured for Navy. A composite Brigade has been stationed at Bangabandhu Bridge to ensure security during war and peace.

Members of the Armed Forces and Police have been discharging their responsibilities with competence in peacekeeping operations of the United Nations.

The involvement of the Armed Forces in the implementation of Asrayan project, traffic management of Dhaka city, disaster management, supervision of unloading and distribution of food grains at seaports and assisting generation of electricity - all these public-service activities have been praised.

Turning to law and order, which has been bedeviled by acts of terrorism and crimes, the President noted that huge quantity of illegal arms had been recovered and criminals arrested in joint operation by BDR, Police and Ansar. Some 2838 terrorists have surrendered responding to the government's call for surrendering arms.

"Due to steps taken by the government, there had been marked improvements in the law-and-order in the southwestern region of the country, he said.

He mentioned that the government had decided to establish three administrative thanas in Patuakhali, Comilla and Meherpur districts. It was decided in principle to establish a new administrative thana at Ashuganj.

The existing bigger thanas will be split into 18 new police stations. Five such thanas have already started functioning. In the current fiscal year, 13 new investigation centres will be set up in the remote areas.

The President said the government has taken up programmes for modernisation and increasing efficiency of the present judicial system. During the past two years, work for identification of flaws and inadequacies in the existing judicial system has been completed by local and foreign experts.

Draft law on National Human Rights Commission has been approved in principle by the government while the draft of "Grameen Adalot" for easy and quick disposal of petty disputes in the rural areas is under consideration.

The President said the government has taken effective steps to foster free press. Permission has been given to operate private TV channel, which is expected to go on air by the first half of this year.

He said proposal to set up and operate private radio is under consideration. Initiatives have been taken to establish a "Film City" for promotion of film industry under private sector while the formulation of a film policy is at the final stage.