Anti-graft drives to continue: PM
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the drives against all sorts of corruption including bribery would continue until all tiers of the state and society were freed of such crimes.
She came up with the announcement in parliament when replying to questions MPs during the question-answer session.
The prime minister also said her government had not intention to export natural gas to India and would welcome China, Nepal and Bhutan if they want to use Bangladesh’s maritime ports of Chattogram and Mongla.
Sheikh Hasina, also president of ruling Awami League, said laws were being strictly enforced against all criminal irrespective of political identities and views.
Replying another question from Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque, Hasina said the Anti-Corruption Commission has been working to bring all corrupt persons to book.
‘Legal actions are being taken against all persons including government employees alongside politicians during the anti-graft drive,’ she said dded.
The commission has already requested the Singapore government to provide information related to the Bangladeshis who used to gamble in Singapore casinos.
Responding to a question from Rustum Ali Faraji, the prime minister said the government has adopted ‘zero tolerance’ policy against all social criminal activities including corruption, violence, drugs and gambling.
‘The drive will continue until eradication of terrorism,’ she added.
Strict surveillance of law enforcement agencies continues so that none can conduct illegal casino activities in the future, said Hasina.
‘The ongoing drives against all sorts of criminal activities in would continue in all areas including district, upazila and municipality,’ she said.
Replying a question from M Mashiur Rahman Ranga, the prime minister said Bangladesh has no plan to export natural gas to North-West region of India and the government gives its highest effort and takes different initiatives to ensure energy security of the country.
She said the government was working to make Bangladesh as central point of regional trade and communication.
She said Standard Operational Procedure agreements were already signed with India to allow the country to use the Chittagong and Mongla ports in export and import proposes.
‘We hoped north-eastern states of India would enjoy the facilities which will profitable for both the countries,’ she said.
She said the government hoped that Nepal and Bhutan also will use the ports in future.
‘We will also welcome the North-Western provisions of China if they want to use the ports,’ she said.
On September 30, the commission launched inquiries to detect the illegal wealth of the people involved in the unauthorised casino operations and other illegal businesses.
The ACC already filed seven cases accusing 10 people for their alleged involvement in accumulation of illegal wealth by opening casinos and other illegal means.
It also banned foreign travels by 34 people — 23 politicians including three ruling Awami League MPs and 11 government officials including 10 Public Works Department engineers.
During the crackdown against corruption and illegal moneymaking that began on September 18, at least 277 people, mostly AL leaders and activists and its front organisations were arrested, 224 in the capital and 53 elsewhere.
On allegations of involvement in irregularities, Awami Juba League chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury and Awami Swechchhasebak League president Molla Md Abu Kawsar were removed from their posts.
News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net
