The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The government on Sunday decided to provide special security to the two former prime ministers declaring them as VIPs for three months from the following day of declaration of schedule of the next parliamentary polls.

The former two prime ministers-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-will be provided the security under the Special Security Force Ordinance-1986. The decision was taken at a meeting of the council of advisers held at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) here yesterday afternoon with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair.

After the meeting, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Syed Fahim Munaim told newsmen that the council also approved the Local Government (Upazila Parishad) (Amendment) Ordinance - 2008.

He said, the meeting approved a proposal to open Bangladesh embassies in Sudan, Sierra Leon and Greece and reopen of Bangladesh's embassy in Afghanistan capital Kabul aiming at expanding diplomatic relations and boosting trade and business with those countries.

Earlier, Bangladesh had to close its embassy in Kabul in 1989 due to the war in Afghanistan.

Besides, the council approved the draft of the Bangladesh Laws (Revision and Declaration) (Amendment) Ordinance - 2008 with a view to amending Bangladesh Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act 1973.

It also ratified a proposal put forward by the ministry of commerce for giving retrospective approval to the signed protocol to include Afghanistan in SAFTA pact.

The Council approved a proposal to sign a treaty on military grant between Bangladesh and Turkey.

Apart from these, the meeting held an elaborate discussion on a presentation made by Agriculture and Water Resources Adviser Dr C S Karim following his Sunday's visit in the water logged areas in Jessore and Satkhira region. After his presentation, the Chief Adviser directed the authorities concerned to take immediate measurers to reduce sufferings of the marooned people there.

Dr Fakhruddin also asked the water resources ministry to form a committee involving concerned departments including Water Development Board, Joint Forces and District and Divisional administrations to take speedy measures to this end.

He directed the ministries concerned to distribute medicine for the prevention of water-borne diseases, supply blankets and tarpaulins among the people affected by the water logging.

Later, the meeting was informed that relief materials and medicine have already been sent to the affected areas to mitigate sufferings of the people.

The advisers and special assistants to the chief adviser attended the meeting. The cabinet secretary, press secretary to the chief adviser and secretaries concerned were present.