The Leader of the Opposition, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, has expressed concern over the absence of the ministers of most ministries during important discussions in the National Parliament. He called for the necessary steps to be taken to ensure the parliament’s effectiveness and accountability. In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad directed all concerned to be alert, saying no state work was more important than a parliament session, and that for a member of parliament the parliament session carried the highest importance.
Rising on a point of order on the 13th day of the budget session of the National Parliament on Tuesday, the Leader of the Opposition, Shafiqur Rahman, said the Speaker had from the very beginning called for the participation of all parties to keep parliament effective and lively. But it was often seen, he said, that even when a particular ministry was being discussed, the minister concerned or a responsible representative was not present in the chamber. Members raised various important issues in the discussions, which the relevant ministers needed to hear directly, he said; if cabinet members in particular were not regularly present, the effectiveness of parliamentary discussion was reduced.
Shafiqur Rahman also raised questions about discipline in the chamber. He said a few members were sometimes seen holding separate discussions in small groups while the session was in progress, which undermined the dignity of parliament and also made it difficult for other members to follow important discussions. On one side an important discussion was going on in parliament, the Leader of the Opposition said, while on the other a few members were creating something like a separate meeting — which was not consistent with the discipline and decorum of parliament.
In response to Shafiqur Rahman’s remarks, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, said the points raised by the Leader of the Opposition were extremely important. During the budget session, members spoke on matters relating to various ministries, with discussions on sectors including health, law and order, and local government, and the ministers concerned needed to be present to hear those statements.
‘I urge again that no state work is more important than a parliament session. Of all state activities, the parliament session carries the highest importance,’ the Speaker said. Ministers should be present in parliament on time and listen attentively to members’ statements on matters relating to their ministries, he said, and should also try to take the necessary steps to solve problems.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report