BNP’s parliamentary party meeting on Saturday emphasised the need for vocational education and vowed a tough stance against extortion and drugs, among other national issues.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting held at the Parliament premises from 3pm to 6pm, attended by ruling party lawmakers.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced a hardline position against extortion and narcotics, which the prime minister endorsed, Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam told reporters after the meeting.
The meeting also committed to ensuring a speedy trial in the high-profile rape and murder case of child Ramisa, which has sparked nationwide outrage.
Ministers from seven-line ministries presented progress reports, highlighted existing challenges, and outlined remedial measures, the chief whip said.
Citing the education minister, Nurul Islam said the PM has directed authorities to incorporate vocational education into the curriculum.
“The honourable prime minister has said that education which does not make people skilled for work or enable them to do something abroad is not effective,” the Chief Whip quoted him as saying.
He also said admission fees for grade 11 have been reduced by Tk2,000 to Tk3,000, and warned that strict action would be taken against institutions charging excessive fees.
On the health front, the meeting was told that precautionary measures have been taken to tackle dengue and prevent measles. The Health Ministry is also taking strict steps to ensure doctors are present at upazila level facilities.
The Road Transport and Bridges Ministry has already floated tenders for 1,000 kilometres of new roads, with the prime minister instructing that work be completed at low cost and without corruption.
The Water Resources Ministry provided details on the development of Chattogram and Mongla port terminals as well as the Teesta barrage project.
In the power sector, a large number of people have been newly connected to the grid, and 66 percent of customers have not seen any increase in their electricity bills, the meeting was informed.
On rising commodity prices, the chief whip blamed the previous government for the dollar crisis.
“The previous government, at the time of leaving the country, raised the dollar price from Tk86 to Tk119-120. Due to this approximately 35-40 per cent increase in the dollar price, the prices of various goods have naturally increased,” he said.
“We are trying to work on these matters and take necessary steps to alleviate people’s suffering,” he added.
The meeting also discussed youth training and employment generation, expansion of BKSP branches in and outside Dhaka, rapid completion of work at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, and measures for the development of women and children.
Construction of a national hospital, ensuring quality school meals, and progress on other government projects were also on the agenda, the chief whip said.
