Hasina pledges end to graft, apologises for mistakes

AL MANIFESTO HIGHLIGHTS

- Actions against fraudulence practices in banks
- Zero tolerance for corruption 
- Independence, dignity of judiciary
- Widened tax net matching income 
- No question paper leak, copying in public exams 
- Free health services for people under one year and over 65 years of age
- Cooperation with India on water sharing of Teesta, other common rivers 
- Rule of law 
- National Minority Commission for upholding minority rights 
- No extremism, communalism, sectarianism

Ruling Awami League president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday apologised to the nation for mistakes, if any made by her or her colleagues in discharging duties, as she announced AL manifesto for the December 30 general election pledging continuation of development.
Reading out the major features of the manifesto for the 11th parliamentary elections titled ‘Bangladesh towards prosperity’ at a programme at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka, she sought vote for the third consecutive term.
‘If we are voted to power, we will drive out acts of violence, militancy, drug abuse and communalism from the country, strengthen democracy and ensure rule of law,’ she said.
She said that the Awami League was committed to ensure women leadership and their empowerment in every sphere.
Hasina pledged to take steps to make parliament more effective and strengthen the judiciary.
Stern measures will be taken to root out corruption and bribery, undisclosed income, untaxed money, extortion, defaulted bank loans and muscle power, she said, pledging good governance, peace and prosperity.
She pledged for zero tolerance for corruption.
The AL election manifesto sates, ‘We do not want politics of confrontation, acts of vandalism, fire-bombing and politics of blockade. We want credible elections in a democratic environment.’
It pledged to protect the independence of the judiciary and uphold its dignity.
The process for ensuring independence and effectiveness of the National Human Rights Commission would be continued and any attempt to infringe human rights would be prevented, the party pledged without any mention of extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearances, the major concerns of rights activists.
If voted, the manifesto said, the Awami League would widen tax net matching income of the people.
The major pledges included taking actions against fraudulence practices in banks and bank loans, containing question paper leak and copying in public examinations, providing free health services for people under one year and over 65 years of age, ensuring accountability of NGOs and constituting a National Minority Commission for upholding rights of the minorities.
Hasina also pledged to continue cooperation with India on sharing waters of the Teesta and other common rivers as well as on bilateral trade and security.
The pledges made in the manifesto included quality education at every stage, development of youths transforming them into proper work force, development and empowerment of women, gender equality, development of children, nutritious and safe foods for all, quality health services for all, more use of digital technologies, power and energy securities, road safety.
The pledges included implementation of the mega projects first, eradication of the poverty, increase in investments in public and private sectors, introduction of modern agricultural system and introduction of trained and people-friendly administration and pro-people law enforcement forces. 
The party pledged to take steps for the welfare of senior citizens, disabled and autistic children and ensure proper developments for establishing developed Bangladesh.
The Awami League also pledged to transform the youths into skilled manpower and ensuring their jobs and bank loan for youth entrepreneurs.
Pledging township at every village with all sorts of civic amenities, the AL president said that each village would be connected with upazila towns.
Seeking vote for AL electoral symbol ‘boat’, Hasina said, ‘Cast your votes for boat, we will give you development,’ she said.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader and manifesto preparatory committee chairman Mohammad Abdur Razzaque gave welcome speech at the programme, conducted publicity and publication secretary Hasan Mahmud.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net