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Text of prime minister's address to nation
Bangladesh's successes in supplying pure drinking water and providing sanitation during the past five years have been lauded all over the world. Infant and maternal mortality rates have decreased in the country due to measures taken by our government. A recent UNICEF report says that the situation in Bangladesh in this area is better compared to neighbouring countries. Average life-expectancy of people has also increased. The rate of population growth has come down to 1.47 percent due to strengthening of our family planning programme. My Dear Brothers and Sisters, The role of telecommunication is very important in today's competitive world. We have therefore attached much importance to the development of our telecommunication sector. The number of fixed telephones in the country when we assumed office was 6 lakh 85 thousand. Presently it stands at 12 lakh 20 thousand. The number of fixed-phone subscribers of private telephone operators has also crossed 150,000 mark, digital telephone exchanges have been set up in 64 districts of the country. 228 upazilas have been brought under digital telephone network. The rest of the upazilas would also be brought under digital telephone network in phases. At present the number of fixed and mobile telephone connections in the country is over one and a half crore. That means, the whole country has now come under the purview of telecommunication network. The telephone connection and call rate charges have been reduced drastically. 17 private companies have been given permission to provide fixed-phone services in order to make fixed telephones more accessible to the people. Side by side, government-owned Teletalk Bangladesh is also providing mobile phone services to the public. We have connected Bangladesh to the information super-highway through linkage with submarine cable. As a result, overseas communication, data exchange and internet connection have become speedier and easier. My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Half of our population are females. Consequently, national development is not possible without their participation. We have taken wide-ranging measures for women's empowerment and their development. Various programmes are being implemented for generating self-employment of rural women. Because of stringent measures against women and child trafficking, such crimes have now waned. Law against child and women repression has been formulated in order to ensure women's security. The youths are the life-blood of a nation. No nation can advance forward with a burden of unemployed youths on its head. We therefore took extensive measures for reducing the unemployment problem. The unemployed youths are being imparted training in order to transform them into human resources. They are given allowances during training and are made self-reliant through loans after training. Lakhs of unemployed youths got opportunities for self-employment in this process. My Dear Brothers and Sisters, People's demands and hopes rise alongside strides in development. A time comes when supply cannot keep pace with demand. That is exactly what happened in case of electricity in Bangladesh. The problem with electricity has continued for some time.
The demand for power has also increased substantially due to infrastructural development, modernisation of our lifestyle and rapid proliferation of mills and factories. We have remained conscious about this issue. With rise in demand, we also took measures for raising power generation. A network of 89 thousand kilometres of new transmission lines have been installed for supplying electricity throughout the country. As a result, we shall be able to reach power supply to everybody's doorsteps by increasing electricity production if we get that opportunity by the grace of Allah in future. I would like to express my regret to those people who are suffering because of dearth of electricity. I give you my word; we shall attach highest priority to development of the power sector if we get the support of countrymen in future. The number of electricity subscribers during the past five years has increased by 76 percent and crossed the 97 lakh mark. Because of our stringent measures, system loss in the sector has been reduced to 22 percent from the previous 28 percent. It has been possible to bring almost 50 thousand villages under the rural electrification programme. My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Ensuring the safety of citizens' lives and property is the responsibility of the government. You know very well the state of law and order in the country when we took over the responsibility of the government. There was then no security of people's lives. The whole nation was held hostage by terrorists with direct and indirect patronisation of the then government. The law was helpless before the power of terrorists. The administration was run as per the directives of terrorist leaders and godfathers of the ruling party. The bomb terrorism was started during the tenure of that government. The Bangla new-year's celebration, public meeting, cultural programme, church and religious gathering were attacked with bombs. The then government did not try to go to the roots of bomb-terrorism. Rather, they attempted to use it for political purpose. The then government harassed our leaders and workers, but refrained from catching the bomb-terrorists. As a result, the network of bomb-terrorists thrived unhindered. We have succeeded in changing that situation. It has been possible to subdue these terrorists through strong measures taken by the government. The country is free of terrorism today. The land is free of godfathers. The state is free of bombs. We have overpowered the terrorists successfully through Operation Clean Heart and subsequent formation of Rapid Action Battalion. In this regard, I would like to extend my thanks to those members of the law enforcing agencies including the police, the armed forces, BDR and Ansars, who have worked even by risking their lives. Another thing. It is unfortunate that the bomb terrorists attempted to disrupt the peace of citizens by using the name of sacred religion Islam. By the grace of Almighty Allah and with the help of you all, we have reined them in. They are being tried according to the prevailing law of the land and the verdicts will be executed in accordance with law. We have taken many more measures to establish rule of law in the country. We framed the speedy trial act and set up speedy trial tribunal for ensuring justice for the people and in order to eliminate crimes.
Because of these measures taken by us, social peace, security, communal harmony and amity have remained intact during the past five years. Religious festivals like Ramadan, Eid, Puja, Bouddha Purnima and Christmas have been celebrated pompously in a peaceful environment. My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Transforming an agrarian poor country into a prosperous one based on industry-commerce-service is not an easy task. Many problems-crises and obstacles-threats appear during this transition. Outstanding among these problems is the appearance and proliferation of corruption. Corruption was present even in affluent nations of the West. It took them ages to reduce that corruption. And even now, corruption and especially corporate corruption exists in those countries. They are working in their own ways to tackle that vice. We are also working to curb corruption in our country. We have constituted an independent Anti-Corruption Commission to check the spread of corruption and eradicate the phenomenon. This Commission has already become operational. We hold the view that a realistic way to combat corruption is to spread education. I have said earlier that we took extensive measures for that purpose. If we can ensure jobs and honour the educated, then they would be the ones to act as shields against corruption. Before searching for honest and qualified candidates for the coming election, we paid more attention to grooming educated and respected people in the country. We have seen positive signs in this area during the past five years. The reports of Transparency International Bangladesh or TIB are often quoted while referring to corruption. Their report shows that corruption in the country amounted to Taka 17 thousand 192 crore in the year 2000 as evidenced from 3,293 scanned reports. You will be glad to know that this amount was Taka 526 crore in 2005. However, despite being much less compared to the figure during the previous government's tenure, this amount is still not acceptable. We have emerged successful by taking a firm stand against corruption. We have brought back peace, trust and relief in public mind. We have also been successful in reducing corruption to some extent. Our struggle against corruption would be geared up if we get the opportunity to do so again. In the meantime, we have tried to groom an honest, dynamic and efficient administration. With this objective, promotions have been given in government jobs on a regular basis. Top priority has been attached to merit, qualification and efficiency in matters of promotion. A new pay-scale for government officers and employees has also been implemented. My Dear Countrymen, I also need to tell you another thing today. Some people complain about rising prices of commodities. We have always remained fully aware about this matter. That is why, we tried to bring under control the prices of essentials for our fasting citizens during Ramadan. But, commodity prices in the world market have an impact in import-dependent economies like ours. The prices fluctuate as a result. Another reason for this high price is the manipulation by middlemen. We have tried to restrain that. But transport of commodities gets hindered due to negative programmes like hartals. The sufferings of the people increase further. Another principal cause of high commodity price is rising oil prices in the global market.
I am sure you realize that prices of most items increase if price of oil rises. And that is why I have always remained in touch with the petroleum policy of the government. I rushed to Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to keep the price of oil as low as possible. They have helped us or pledged to do so. I would like to extend my heartiest gratitude to those friendly countries. Although price of oil increased in the world market, Bangladesh could keep it within tolerable limits compared to our neighbouring countries. Although prices of commodities rose, we always strove to raise the purchasing power of our people. I should say one thing in this respect. We lack adequate laws in our country to check manipulation with prices of commodities. We have plans to reform old laws in the area, frame and apply new laws and regulate prices by constituting an organization for the purpose. You have seen that the image of the country has been brightened in the international arena during the past five years. The interests and optimism in the outside world have also increased manifold. During this period, Bangladesh has been elected to 13 UN bodies including the United Nations Human Rights Council, Peace Building Commission and ECOSOC. Besides, Bangladesh became a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum. Bangladesh is also discharging the responsibility of SAARC Chairperson at the present juncture. Bangladesh has been playing a crucial role by sending the highest number of troops to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. My Dear Brothers and Sisters, We prepared a roadmap for development after assuming office. We have tried to advance the country on the path of development by following that roadmap. But planned hindrances were created on that path of advancement. Road-blocks were erected on our roadmap of development in the name of movement. Attempts were made to create anarchy in the country through numerous destructive programmes including strikes and sieges. Property of the state and its people were destroyed through vandalism and arson attacks. Not only property, even human beings were burnt. But there was no need for these acts. We could solve any problem through discussions. We wanted to make the Jatiya Sangsad the focal point of all our activities. But we did not get the cooperation of the main opposition party in this area. The role of the opposition is very important in a parliamentary democracy. The opposition party has to play a constructive role for making democracy meaningful. Though unfortunate, it is true that our main opposition party has failed to play that role. Although they got unfettered opportunities to speak in the Jatiya Sangsad, they obstructed the parliamentary proceedings by resorting to meaningless walkouts and unreasonable boycotts. These were very painful for the democracy-loving people of the country. Politics is for the people, and not vice versa. People cannot accept that politics which brings misery instead of welfare, destruction instead of advancement, and upholds individual and party interests ahead of the country's and the nation's. The presence of that perverted politics has been visible in the activities of our main opposition party during the past five years. They do not hesitate to trample greater national interest under their feet for the sake of their narrow partisan interest.
And that is why the country's masses have turned their faces away from the direction of their movements. As a result, they could not involve the people in their so-called movement despite repeated efforts during the past five years. They have failed despite innumerable attempts to create indiscipline and anarchy. This is the reality, this is the truth. Those who would resort to activities which go against the interests of the people would certainly be rejected by them. They should remember, the country is not a place for playing card-games. Therefore, trump cards are either ignored in the country's politics, or they are obsolete and bound to fail. Even then, I would like to thank all honourable members including the Leader of the Opposition for their role in the completion of tenure of 8th National Parliament. I also thank other political parties for their constructive role within and outside the parliament. In a democracy, there can be difference of opinion on any subject. But it is the duty and responsibility of a patriot to uphold democracy and Constitution by remaining respectful to the opinion of others. My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please recall your experiences of the Eid market. Harassments of the past were gone and extortions were absent. The shoppers could return home safely with their purchases. And the sellers could return home safely with the money they earned through selling. Would it be too much if we ask for your empathy and support once again in the backdrop of this sense of security and the success of your government? You gave us the responsibility of running the statecraft for five years during the election of 2001. We have discharged that responsibility with the cooperation of you all. We leave it to you to judge how far we have been successful during the past five years. We are going to hand over power to the caretaker government in accordance with the Constitution. After that, the Jatiya Sangsad elections will be held under the caretaker government within next 90 days. The coming parliamentary election will be very important for our national life. That election will determine whether we would go forward, or step backward. That election will decide whether the present trend of a terrorism-free Bangladesh would continue, or Bangladesh would again become a restive habitat of terrorism. More time is needed for successful culmination of the development trend that we have set in motion. More time is needed for the programmes that we undertook to make Bangladesh happy, prosperous and self-reliant. And continuity of government is required if this trend of development and progress is to be sustained. I call upon you all again to remain united so that your outgoing government can once again work for your welfare in the future. I told you many times before, the key to development lies in your own hands. Your vote is that key. I believe that through proper application of that vote during the next general election, you shall keep open that door of good fortune for the country and nation. My Dear Countrymen, I thank you all once again for the cooperation you extended in the running of our statecraft. I thank the civil administration. I thank the armed forces and all members of the law-enforcement agencies, whose sincere and tireless efforts have freed the country from terrorism.
I thank the industrialists, businessmen and local and foreign investors, who have made significant contribution in strengthening our economy. I thank the expatriate Bangladeshi brothers and sisters, whose hard-earned foreign currency has contributed significantly to our foreign exchange reserve. I thank all citizens including the peasants-labourers-students-teachers, freedom fighters, women, journalists and intellectuals, who have lent support and cooperation to governmental efforts during the past five years. I would especially like to thank the Islamic clerics of the country, who extended timely cooperation in our effort to tackle terrorism and establish peace. I thank people belonging to all faiths for maintaining religious harmony and ensuring an amicable environment in the country. The history of Bangladesh's progress during the past five years has been attested by the merchant-bankers Golman Sachs, UNICEF, Time Magazine - who did a cover-story on rebuilding Bangladesh and the Nobel Committee - who have awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank. For the first time in our history, Bangladesh has received these recognitions. I extend my thanks and congratulations to all concerned. My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Our journey of running the country had started in 2001 amidst a fragile economy and an anarchic social scenario. We have now brought Bangladesh to the global road of development after crossing many ups and downs with your support and cooperation. Now, it is our turn to advance forward on that road. And we need your continued support and cooperation for that purpose. I have firm faith, you will continue to extend that support and cooperation in the coming days as well. The BNP-led alliance will sustain that trend of building a prosperous Bangladesh if we get your support. My Dear Peace-loving Countrymen, As you know, there is a thousand year old saying in this Bangladesh of ours: peace is better than happiness. The people of Bangladesh are indeed peace-loving. That is why, the biggest task before our government was maintaining peace in the country. We have succeeded in upholding that peace and Constitutional process despite political unrest at different junctures. We want peace to prevail in the country - especially till the holding of next general election - after the departure of the alliance government from office. With that objective, a political dialogue took place between the BNP and the Awami League during the past few days. BNP's main goal for engaging in this dialogue has been to ensure peaceful holding of the next general election through a Constitutional process. It is a matter of great regret that the political dialogue could not bring desired results. But we should not be disheartened by that.
Originally Posted by A MAN
(http://www.banglacommunity.com/showthread.php?t=1916) & tell me what u think ???? 