11 September: The Bangladesh government is reviewing 101 agreements signed with India during the tenure of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief Whip of the National Parliament Nurul Islam Moni has said. He said the government would determine whether any provisions in the agreements conflict with Bangladesh’s national interests before taking necessary decisions.
The chief whip made the remarks at a press conference held at the media centre of the National Parliament at 11am on Friday, following the third session of the 13th Parliament.
Nurul Islam Moni said the government wants to maintain relations with neighbouring India while giving the highest priority to Bangladesh’s national interests. Friendship between Bangladesh and India will continue, he said, but such relations must not be allowed to undermine the country’s interests.
He said agreements signed between Bangladesh and India during the Hasina government were currently under review. If any provisions are found to conflict with Bangladesh’s interests, they will be identified and appropriate measures will be taken, he added.
Referring to Chattogram Port, the chief whip said the previous government had entered into various arrangements and agreements under which, for example, a vessel belonging to a friendly country could receive priority for unloading when two ships arrived at the port simultaneously. The current government is seeking to move away from numerous such agreements that it considers contrary to the country’s interests, he said.
The chief whip also expressed dissatisfaction with India over the decision not to invite Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the BRICS summit. He said India’s decision not to invite him in his capacity as the prime minister of an independent country was a matter of concern.
Briefing reporters on the activities of the third parliamentary session, Nurul Islam Moni said six bills were passed during the nine-working-day session. Members of parliament received answers to 1,678 questions, including 15 questions answered directly by the prime minister.
He said a bill concerning the transfer of property would ensure parents retain the right to use and possess property even after donating it to their children during their lifetime. Government lawmakers were disappointed when opposition leaders walked out in protest against the bill, he added.
Regarding the electricity shortage, the chief whip said construction of a new 500-megawatt power plant takes at least two to two and a half years. He alleged that the previous government had spent substantial amounts of money by paying capacity charges to several power plants even when they were not generating electricity. The current government has cancelled the previous arrangements providing exemptions from liability, he said.