Opposition leader Md Shafiqur Rahman has called for a detailed parliamentary discussion on the 133 ordinances issued during the interim government’s tenure, arguing that those proposed to be lapsed are extremely important and connected to the “July spirit.”
Drawing the speaker’s attention during Sunday’s parliamentary session, the opposition leader noted that a special committee was formed to scrutinise the ordinances and that the Speaker had approved the committee’s report.
“The report contains proposals to lapse some ordinances. The ordinances proposed to be lapsed are extremely important and connected to the July spirit. Therefore, there should be a detailed discussion on the 133 ordinances in parliament,” he said.
He also pointed to a “Supplementary Agenda” in the day’s schedule, expressing belief that some bills brought forward were connected to the ordinances. “If that is the case, then let the opportunity for discussion be created in parliament on the ordinances that are on the list for lapsing,” he added.
In response, the law minister initially stated that the two bills mentioned by the opposition leader were not derived from any ordinance but were completely fresh bills sent by the ministry, not among the 133 ordinances. He said the ordinances would be scrutinised later and presented in parliament as bills.
After the Asr prayer break, the Law Minister made a correction to his earlier statement, acknowledging that the two laws the opposition leader mentioned were indeed among the 133 ordinances.
The opposition leader then reiterated his demand, saying, “In our view, each of the ordinances proposed to be lapsed is very important and related to the protection of people’s rights. Therefore, my clear proposal is that these should be presented in parliament, and we want to discuss them.”
The law minister responded that every ordinance would be presented in parliament, with opportunities for discussion during first and second readings. He added that the special committee had given an unconditional opinion in favour of passing the two ordinances currently brought as bills.
The speaker noted that nearly 93 bills must be passed by 9 April, suggesting that discussion opportunities would arise during those proceedings.
