Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday told the House that the stability of parliamentary democracy since 2008 created a scope for massive development in Bangladesh.
“During the last three terms — 2008, 2014 and 2018 — in line with the constitution, the continuous progress of Bangladesh National Parliament, the consistency of parliamentary democracy and political stability created a field for massive development of Bangladesh,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, also the leader of the House, said this while placing a motion in the House on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the Jatiya Sangsad.
She said in continuation of the scope, Bangladesh achieved many successes like the successful implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), reducing the poverty rate to 18 per cent from 40 per cent, gradual sustainable development of Bangladesh, the graduation of Bangladesh into the club of the developing countries, reaching electricity to 100 per cent houses, massive development of communication infrastructures, attainment of food autarky, construction of the Padma Bridge with own finance, implementation of metro rail project, launching Bangabandhu Satellite, setting up Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, rehabilitation of landless and homeless people under Ashrayan project, women empowerment, construction of Birnibash (houses) for freedom fighters and building “Digital Bangladesh.”
“Overall, today Bangladesh is a wonder of the world for the development of the people’s life.”
She said Bangladesh is now a role model in the world for poverty alleviation, management of disasters, women empowerment, and reducing child and maternal mortality rates and development.
Sheikh Hasina, an MP from the Gopalganj-3 constituency, moved the motion under Section 147 of the Rules of Procedure in the House on the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh National Parliament.
The prime minister in her motion said, “During the auspicious moment of 50 years of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad, the Parliament is in opinion that the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad as the centre of parliamentary democracy will continue to play an effective and active role in the quality development of people's life and the successful implementation of their hopes and aspirations, and thus democracy will be strengthened, an exploitation-free social system will be established, equality and justice will be guaranteed for all, we all will work together to fulfill these promises stated in the constitution, and build a happy, prosperous, advanced, hunger- and poverty-free smart Bangladesh and the Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — this should be our conviction.”
Talking about the golden jubilee of parliament, she said the National Parliament witnessed many historic incidents in its 50-year journey. “The centre of parliamentary democracy – the National Parliament— has been playing the role in the progress of democracy amid different hurdles.”
She added, “This August National Parliament is playing a significant role in the establishment of rule of law by ensuring the transparency and accountability of the government.”
The prime minister recalled the sacrifice and contribution of the Father of the Nation for the welfare of the nation and for building the war-ravaged country.
She said Bangabandhu got only three years, seven months and three days to build the war-ravaged Bangladesh. He had done outstanding jobs constructing the war-torn country.
A total of 462 laws, ordinances and orders were enacted and Bangladesh attained recognition from 123 countries and membership from different international organisations in this short time.
“When I think about it, I wonder how he could do so much work in this short period of time…Bangabandhu has left a rare example before all of us that how a country could be rapidly rehabilitated, reconstructed and developed, if there is a will.”
Referring to the attainment of the status of a developing nation by Bangladesh, the prime minister said, “In that continuity, we will make Bangladesh a smart nation and golden Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu by 2041.”
Awami League lawmakers Amir Hossain, Tofail Ahemd and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim also joined the discussion over the motion on Friday.
The discussion will continue on Saturday as well before the motion is adopted by the House.
Earlier, President Md Abdul Hamid addressed the House on the occasion of the 50 years of the Jatiya Sangsad.
On April 7, 1973, the first parliament had gone into its maiden sitting in independent Bangladesh.
