Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said improving the law and order situation and strictly controlling corruption to restore peace and security in people’s minds are the government’s top priorities.
While addressing the nation at 9:45pm, he said, “The government is taking the highest initiatives to ensure peace and security in public life.”
He added, “Every constitutional, government, and non-government institution in the country will run in accordance with established rules and regulations. Not party or political influence or force, but the rule of law will be the final word in running the state.”
Tarique said his government wants to turn the country into a safe land for every citizen.
“Establishing a self-reliant, safe, humane, and democratic Bangladesh is the goal of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party government,” he said.
“The new government has started its journey amid a fragile economy battered by corruption and misrule during the period of fascism, a weak governance structure, and a deteriorating law and order situation.”
Saying that the government has identified the spread of gambling and drugs across the country as one of the major reasons for the deterioration of law and order, Tarique said, “Therefore, law enforcement agencies are taking all kinds of strict measures to control gambling and drugs.”
The new PM said he wants to deliver a message to the people of the country that, regardless of being Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian, and irrespective of party affiliation, religion, or caste, whether living in the hills or the plains, this country belongs to all.
Saying that Ramadan is a month of self-purification, he urged people not to consider this month as a time for making business profits, in the interest of preserving the sanctity of Ramadan.
“Traders should remain cautious so that commodity prices do not go beyond the reach of common people,” he said.
The government’s position towards all businesses, small, medium, or large, is simple and clear, he said, adding that the government wants to take necessary measures by protecting the interests of both traders and consumers.
“The government is ready to hear any kind of suggestions or complaints on what initiatives it should take to keep the market situation under control and protect the interests of both buyers and sellers,” he said.
“Buyers, sellers, recipients -- this government belongs to all. This government is yours. You have given this government the responsibility to run the state through your votes. You are the strength of this government,” added Tarique.
The new PM said traffic congestion in divisional cities, especially in the capital Dhaka, is almost uncontrollable, and there is no end to public suffering in markets, offices, and courts.
Unless public suffering in various aspects of life is reduced, relief will not return to people’s minds, he said, adding that alternative measures have become necessary to reduce population pressure in the capital.
To enable people to stay in their own districts or homes and still carry out office, court, and business activities easily and on time, initiatives have been taken to overhaul the railway communication system across the country, he said.
As part of this plan, the activities of the rail, shipping, road, and bridges ministries are being reorganised and coordinated, he said.
If railway communication across the country can be made easy, affordable, and safe, people’s dependence on city-centred living will decrease, and the environment will also improve, he said.
Tarique said there is no end to the problems around us, but alongside problems, there are also many possibilities.
If the large population can be transformed into skilled manpower, this population will become a “human resource”, he said.
If people can make themselves skilled, not only Bangladesh but also the global market will be open to them, he said.
The government has begun its journey with a specific commitment to ensure employment and a proper working environment, he said.
He said that after returning to the country on December 25 last year, after nearly 18 years, he had said he had a plan for the country and the people.
Before the February 12 national election, he presented many aspects of his plan to the people while visiting different parts of the country, he said.
He said the people have given the responsibility of running the state to BNP, the party founded by the proclaimer of independence, through their votes, and have allowed it to implement all plans.
It is now the responsibility of the BNP government to utilise this opportunity and fulfil all commitments, he said.
“We have started implementing our plans and promises, Inshallah. On this journey of fulfilling our commitments, we expect your continued support in the days ahead,” he said.
Tarique said he has already instructed the authorities concerned to ensure that fasting people during Ramadan can get uninterrupted gas, water, and electricity supply during iftar, taraweeh, and sehri.
Before calling on all government and private officials, employees, and the general public to practise austerity, the PM said he wanted to set an example through the government ministers and BNP MPs.
He said, “In the first meeting of the BNP parliamentary party, it was decided that no MP elected from BNP will import tax-free cars using government facilities or take plot benefits, he said.
Tarique said he had earlier told the people that if allowed to run the state, the BNP government would follow the ideal of justice of the Holy Prophet. He believes the decisions of the BNP parliamentary party reflect that ideal of justice.
“As head of government, I want to draw the attention of the people to one issue — those who voted for BNP and gave it the opportunity to form the new government, those who did not vote for it, or those who did not vote for anyone at all, all have equal rights to this government.”
He added that the BNP government believes political affiliation, religion, and personal views belong to individuals, but the state belongs to everyone.
“In this country and this state, as a Bangladeshi, every citizen has equal rights,” he said.
