Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described the proposed budget for FY 2023-24 as an appropriate one for marching Bangladesh ahead as a developing nation, discarding the apprehension over the ability to implement it. "We need not bother who says what (about the budget). We have got status as a developing nation. We have announced an appropriate budget to transform Bangladesh into a developing country," she said. She said these while inaugurating Dhaka District Awami League Bhaban (offices of Dhaka district and Dhaka North City Awami League) as the chief guest at Tejgaon industrial area in the capital on Saturday (Jun 3) afternoon, local media reported.
The inaugural programme turned into a grand rally as thousands of enthusiastic Awami League leaders and activists from across the Dhaka district and Dhaka city assembled to have a glimpse of their party chief.
Sheikh Hasina, also President of the Bangladesh Awami League said, "We, Insha Allah, can implement the budget as the people of the country are with us".
The PM came down heavily on those who are apprehending over implementation of such a huge budget of around TK 7.62 lakh crore.
"Some people always say same thing before passing the budget every year that we can't implement the budge. But, we are doing our works to improve the living standard of every person," she said.
The premier reiterated her pledge to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh free from poverty and hunger by 2041 as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, MP, Awami League Advisory Council Member and Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, MP, Awami League Presidium Member Advocate Quamrul Islam, MP, Awami League Organising Secretary Mirza Azam, MP, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, MP, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, MP and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman, MP, spoke at the function. Awami League Presidium Members, Deputy Leader of the House Begum Matia Chowdhury, MP, and Dr Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin and Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam were present on the dais. Dhaka District Awami League President Benazir Ahmed presided over the function while Its General Secretary Paniruzzaman Torun moderated it.
Sheikh Hasina said gave the countrymen a good news that they have already signed agreements with Qatar and Oman and working to do the same with some other countries to purchase the electricity producing fuel to ease sufferings of the people caused by load shedding. "It is good for us that we have made agreements with Qatar and Oman. We are working on it with some other countries so that we can purchase gas and bring those in the country to ease sufferings of the people," she said.
The PM said they have reached electricity at every doorstep. But the people have to suffer for load shedding due to price hike in oil and gas and scarcity of coal she said, adding, "We've to import those." She continued that the government has to face difficulties to import fuel to produce electricity. The Premier said those who were against the coal-based power plants, they are now establishing those.
The world is going through economic meltdown and inflation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions and counter sanctions, she said. Sheikh Hasina said the people never have to suffer for the power if the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, economic recession and price hike did not hit hard the globe.
She said she knew that it is difficult for the people to tolerate load shedding as her government had successfully put an end to this end. But the global situation has forced it to happen, she added. The premier reminded the countrymen that the government of Khaleda Zia had killed 18 farmers in Kansat as they had demanded electricity while another 17 labourers were killed during the month of Ramadan for demanding due wages.
Sheikh Hasina asked her party men to work for building the nation and welfare of the countrymen being imbued with the ideology of Father of the Nation, paying no heed to any sanction of any country. Bangladesh, she said, will run by its own feet and the government will build the country.
Referring to a verdict of Canadian court that declared BNP as a terrorist party, she said the USA should give concentration on the BNP which also involved in rigging votes and playing ducks and drakes with the fate of the people.
"The USA did not issue visa to Tarique Zia for terrorism and corruption," she reminded. The Awami League President said her party knows very well where the welfare and benefit lie for the people of Bangladesh.
"Keeping that in our mind we always work, and put the country in the developing country status. The country will be developed country by 2041. We also formed Delta Plan 2100 for the future generations," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that she has confidence and trust in the people of the country. "The people know that by only casting vote for Boat (electoral symbol of Awami League) their fate will be changed," she said.
The Awami League President, however, asked her party leaders and workers to make it stronger further and remain alert as none can play ducks and drakes with the fate of the countrymen.
"You have to remember that you have to strengthen the organization so that no evil force could play duck and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh. It is our responsibility to save the people of the country from the clutches of the evil force," she said.
The PM said that she feels regretted while BNP, involved with arson terrorism, grenade attacks and terrorism acts, gives sermons on democracy. She described the Awami League as an institution, saying every achievement had brought by the party that include the country's independence and overall socio-economic development of the country.
She suggested the people of Bangladesh to look behind the period before 2008 general election and from 2008 to 2023 to realize the changes made in Bangladesh, particularly the socio-economic advancement.
Sheikh Hasina said that the government has been able to registered remarkable development in Bangladesh. "This happened as people of the country voted Awami League to power in 2008, 2014 and 2018 elections. A stable democratic environment has been prevailing in the country, resulting unprecedented economic development," she said. She mentioned that if this stability was not maintained and if the Awami League was not in the power, this sort of development could not be done in the country.
"This is the ground reality, no one would work for the people of the country, except Awami League," she said.
The PM once again said none can destroy the Awami League as it is a pro-people party and always works for the welfare of the masses. "Yahya, Ayub, Zia, Ershad and Khaleda Zia had tried to destroy the Awami League. But, none was successful to do so as it is deep-rooted party," she said.
Sheikh Hasina unveiled the plaque of Dhaka District Awami League Bhaban soon after arriving at the party office and turned around it.
The party leaders and activists were seen waiting with procession on both sides of the road to welcome Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.
