The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government will start dialogue with the political parties soon, probably this month, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim told newsmen yesterday after a meeting of the cabinet.

The government is now preparing for the dialogue and working out modalities on the type and format of the dialogue and whether the dialogue with political parties would be held together or separately, he said.

Regarding the threat of a particular political party to launch movement against the government, he said let the dialogue be held and after that movement might not be necessary.

Asked whether there is a possibility of famine in the country in view of the price spiral, he rejected it outright saying, "The question of famine does not arise in the country."

He said there is enough food stock and the government has taken various programmes including launching of open market selling (OMS) and VGF programme.

The government spokesman, however, admitted that there is crisis and the government is trying to solve it.

Asked to comment on the statement made by former Adviser of the Caretaker Government Dr Akbar Ali Khan that 10 percent people of the country are passing days without food, he disagreed with the contention saying, "Everybody has the right to make any sort of comment but we will expect responsible statement."

The Cabinet meeting, held at the conference room of the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair, discussed the food situation and emphasised the need for building enough food stock to deal with the situation.

The Chief Adviser asked all ministries to talk to media people to apprise them of their latest position, he said adding, "From now on, particularly the ministries of food and commerce will brief journalists regularly," he said.

Syed Fahim Munaim said the Chief Adviser asked the authorities concerned to ensure maintenance of power plants when the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Power and Energy Prof Dr M Tamim apprised the meeting of the latest situation of power supply.

The Special Assistant told the meeting that the existing power plants can produce 3900 megawatt power of which 1500 megawatts is being generated from power plants which are more then 25 years old.

The meeting in principle approved bringing about amendment to the two laws-Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority 1980 and EPZ Labour Union and Industries Related Act 2004.

The two-hour long meeting also discussed the Private Plot and Flat Purchasing and Selling Management Ordinance 2008.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works piloted the Ordinance with a view to reducing people's sufferings in purchasing and selling of plots and flats, controlling the standard and restoring the interests of the buyers and sellers.

The Press Secretary said the meeting reached a consensus on the Ordinance and asked the ministry concerned to place it before the Cabinet meeting later after further consultation with all stakeholders and scrutiny.

He said the Chief Adviser handed over 51 volumes of publication containing minutes, copies of notifications and summaries of Cabinet meetings of 25 years from 1971 to 1980, to National Archives to preserve them.