Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has issued a clarion call for national unity between the treasury and opposition benches to ensure that fascism and autocracy can never again take root in Bangladesh.
Delivering his closing remarks at the second session of National Parliament on Wednesday night, which also concluded the first budget session, Tarique outlined a comprehensive blueprint for economic transformation and social justice.
The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal.
As part of the government’s immediate priorities, Tarique announced the upcoming recruitment of 100,000 “health workers” to ensure healthcare reaches the grassroots level.
Besides, 10,000 new police constables will be appointed to strengthen law enforcement as a professional force and guarantee the security of the general public.
These measures are being implemented as landmark decisions under the 31-point reform agenda and the “July Charter.”
Universal Card and social security
In a landmark announcement, Tarique introduced a plan to consolidate all existing welfare services under a single “Universal Card” to ensure the social and financial security of the working class, marginalised farmers, and underprivileged communities.
This card will integrate various current provisions, including the Family Card, Farmer Card, Sports Card, Expatriate Card, and special cards for Imams, Muazzins, and religious leaders.
Tarique added that it is the state’s absolute duty to meet the needs of its citizens rather than an act of mercy, warning that both the people and the state weaken if the government fails to meet its obligations.
He expressed optimism after opposition members showed support for welfare policies like the Family Card, noting that protecting the marginalised from economic inequality is the first step towards building a self-reliant nation capable of resisting autocratic rule and foreign subservience.
Economic overhaul, institutional reforms
Tarique pledged to transform the nation’s debt-dependent economy into a sustainable, investment-reliant one.
He revealed that during the previous autocratic regime, an average of $16 billion was laundered out of the country annually, leading to severe damage to infrastructure and public living standards.
To reverse this, the government is determined to crack down on corruption and aims to bring Bangladesh close to a trillion-dollar economy by 2034 through a long-term master plan focused on investment and massive employment generation.
The government intends to transform the nation’s vast workforce into an asset, setting a long-term target to create 90 million jobs across productive sectors, including one million in Information Technology and another million in the Blue Economy and ecotourism.
Tarique also reaffirmed the commitment to raise education and health spending to 5 per cent of GDP over the next five years, while launching five 200-bed children’s hospitals by September.
Energy sector reforms, infrastructure
Addressing the energy sector, Tarique sharply criticised the previous regime, alleging that Tk3 lakh crore was looted under the guise of ‘Quick Rental’ projects, which he described as opportunities for “quick money.”
To ensure energy security, he announced that fuel reserves have already been increased from under 30 days to 45 days, with a strategic target to reach a 90-day reserve.
The government is also working to reduce dependence on foreign entities by revitalising the state-owned agency BAPEX and importing new rigs to enhance its operational capacity.
He concluded by emphasising that those who were killed or injured during the 17-year anti-fascist movement would be provided with benefits like those granted to freedom fighters and called for the restoration of family values to replace the politics of vengeance with justice.
