Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government will extend full cooperation to opposition MPs, ensuring that development work in their constituencies receives the same support as that of ruling party lawmakers.
Responding to a supplementary question from Madaripur-3 BNP MP Anisur Rahman during question-and-answer session in the parliament, the prime minister said during a meeting of the parliament’s Business Advisory Committee, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman had informed him that some opposition MPs had not received allocations promised before Eid-ul-Azha, which were to be disbursed by the Local Government Ministry.
“I immediately instructed the minister and state minister to ensure that if any opposition member had not received the allocation, steps should be taken quickly,” the prime minister said.
He added, “This demonstrates that the current government believes in equal development. Just as ruling party MPs carry out development work in their constituencies, opposition MPs will receive full cooperation from the government. We will try to work equally in their areas as well.”
MP Anisur also asked whether the government would take measures to stop the opposition’s “propaganda” on the streets. In reply, the prime minister said the question was not entirely clear. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad clarified that the member was asking whether, despite receiving development cooperation, opposition propaganda against the government would be stopped, and whether the prime minister would discuss this with the whips. “I think we need to wait. The session has just begun,” the speaker remarked.
The prime minister responded: “This government is elected by the people. It is a government that believes in democracy and accountability. If there is constructive criticism, we will accept it and take action accordingly.”
Answering another question from Dhaka-14 Jamaat MP Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, the prime minister explained that reserved seat women MPs do not have legally designated seats.
“Naturally, based on our political and organisational structure, we have allocated certain positions for them. They have the same rights as any representative in their constituencies. If there is any development matter in your [MPs from opposition] area where I can assist, let me know -- I will try to help directly,” he said.
In response to Pabna-5 BNP MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, the prime minister said several key commitments from the election manifesto have been prioritised and are being implemented.
So far, 60,044 families have received Family Cards under the pilot programme, while 20,748 people have been issued Farmer Cards. Agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000 have been waived in crop, livestock, and fisheries sectors. Monthly honorariums are being provided to staff at 4,908 mosques, 990 temples, 144 Buddhist monasteries/pagodas, and 396 churches.
Ahead of the monsoon season, approximately 31.4 million saplings will be planted. In the next fiscal year, free school uniforms will be distributed to 200,000 children in government primary schools. Work has also begun on implementing the “One Teacher, One Tab” initiative in various schools, he added.
