Constitution amendment committee holds first meeting, sets reform process in motion
The 12-member parliamentary panel is expected to outline its work plan for reviewing constitutional reforms, while the opposition has declined to nominate any representative to the committee.
The parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendment began its first meeting today (4 August), formally launching the government's effort to amend the Constitution.
The 12-member committee, chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, is expected to finalise its work plan, methodology and timeline for preparing recommendations on constitutional amendments.
The committee also includes Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni (Barguna-2), Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman (Jhenaidah-1), Zainul Abedin (Barishal-3), State Minister for Planning Md. Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki (Brahmanbaria-6), Andaleeve Rahman (Bhola-1), State Minister for Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque (Patuakhali-3), State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin (Chattogram-5), State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin (Natore-1), Shakila Farzana (Women's Reserved Seat-8), Md. Mahmudul Hoque Rubel (Sherpur-3), Md. Oli Ullah (Barguna-1).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The opposition, however, is not represented on the panel after having declined to nominate any members.
Today's meeting is expected to focus on determining how the committee will conduct its work.
Several key issues remain unresolved, including the fate of the constitutional reform proposals contained in the July National Charter, the committee's scope of work and the timeframe for submitting its report to parliament.
Parliament constituted the committee on 13 July with the mandate to recommend "necessary amendments" to the Constitution and submit a report to the House. However, no deadline has yet been set for completing its work.
The amendment process has drawn criticism from opposition parties, which argue that the BNP has moved away from the constitutional reform roadmap proposed during the interim government's tenure.
