Mujibul laments in JS as people call them ‘dalal’

Jatiya Party lawmaker Mujibul Haque Chunnu, also secretary general of the party, on Saturday said people call them ‘dalal’ (collaborators) as they overpraise the government.

Mujibul came up with the statement as Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader criticized the opposition MPs for not praising the government for its various successes and development activities in the road and transport sector.

Earlier, participating in discussions on the Highway Bill-2021, several opposition MPs of both BNP and Jatiya Party came down heavily on the minister for recent fatal road accidents, anarchic situation and corruption in the transport sector.

Responding to the criticisms, Obaidul Quader urged the opposition not only to oppose, but also to praise the good jobs of the government.

In reply, Chunnu said this is not correct that they do not appreciate the good work of the government. “Now people call us collaborators of the ruling Awami League for overpraising the government. How much shall we praise the government? We now want to get rid of that label-’Dalal’ (Collaborator). Even then, if you aren’t happy, there is nothing to do. Only praising is not the job of the opposition.”

BNP MP Rumeen Farhana said the government only wants to hear praises as a beautiful girl wants to. “They forget that there’s a budget of Tk 600,000 crore for them to work. There’s no need to praise them for their work,” she said.

Rumeen said it was the job of the opposition to expose the government’s wrongdoings, corruption and irregularities.

Independent MP Rezaul Karim said it is not clear who is the opposition party in this parliament as opposition MPs always shower praises on the government.

JS passes Highways Bill

The Highways Bill, 2021 was passed in parliament on Saturday, aiming to have a full-fledged law replacing the century-old one.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote.

There is a law of 1925 (Highways Act, 1925), having only five clauses, which are inadequate to deal with maintenance, management and construction (of highways).

The provisions of punishment have also been kept in the case of violation of the proposed law. The punishment will be a maximum two years’ jail or Tk 5,000-Tk 5 lakh fine.

As per the Bill, the government will decide which vehicles will run on which roads or highways, which will be declared as expressway along with highways. How these will be operated and from which roads toll will be collected.

As per the Bill, the government or any individual given responsibility by the government will develop the highways, repair or maintain those, highways related sewerage system and construct drains, culverts and bridges.

It said that after paying the fixed charges of the government, semi government and private service providers can set up their utility connections.

It said that on the highways there will be no scope to keep crops or something others for drying up those.

The Bill stated that without taking prior permission no billboard, signboard, gate or like this will be set up on the highways.

Slow speed vehicles have to use the specific lanes, it said.

The bill mentioned about taking steps to set up specific and safe places for people with disability, children and elderly persons.