Govt reviewing 101 MoUs, agreements signed with India: Chief whip
He says there is no shortage of fertiliser, with 16 lakh tonnes in stock
The government is reviewing 101 memorandums of understanding and agreements signed with India by the previous government, Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Nurul Islam Moni said today (11 September).
"We are discussing all the agreements with India. You will see the outcome very soon," he told a press conference following the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad that ended Thursday.
Asked about the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports by vessels of friendly countries and the possibility of cancelling the agreements, Moni said all the agreements were under review.
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He said the government wanted to maintain friendly relations with all countries while prioritising Bangladesh's national interests.
On the Bank Resolution Bill, Moni said the government had sought to strengthen the country's financial position by adding Section 18(a), but later dropped the provision after it failed to generate interest.
Regarding the electricity and gas crisis, he said protests or long marches could not provide immediate solutions. Establishing a power plant takes at least two to three years, he said, urging people to give the government time to address the longstanding problems.
He said the previous government had spent large sums through power-sector agreements and capacity payments, including payments to plants that were not generating electricity. The current government is reviewing those arrangements as well as electricity and gas pricing, he added.
On fertiliser supplies, Moni said with 16 lakh tonnes in stock there was no shortage.
"There may be some shortcomings in fertiliser management. But the government is working to ensure fertiliser reaches farmers," he said.
On financial management, he said the government had repaid nearly $2.05 billion in loans left by the previous government during its first five months in office. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was also giving special attention to preventing waste in government spending, he said.
The nine-working-day third session passed six bills. Of 2,676 questions submitted by lawmakers, 1,678 were answered, including 15 by the prime minister.
Moni said the government would implement all provisions of the July Charter, including those requiring constitutional amendments.
He said the Constitution had been amended several times since its adoption and could be amended again to implement the charter.
Among the key laws passed during the session was legislation ensuring parents' lifelong right to use property transferred to their children, he said. The law aims to protect elderly parents who may otherwise become vulnerable after transferring their property.
Moni also said the government had consulted ambassadors, stakeholders, lawyers, judges and journalists while formulating laws on enforced disappearance and human rights.
On opposition representation in standing committees, he said three opposition members had been included in each of 22 of the 39 ministry-related committees, while two were included in each of the others. The Public Accounts Committee is headed by opposition lawmaker Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher.
He said the government, despite having a parliamentary majority, wanted to work with the opposition to move the country forward.
"The prime minister has repeatedly said that he is not the prime minister of any particular party; he is the prime minister of Bangladesh," he said.
