The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday directed the members of President Guard Regiment (PGR) to discharge their duties entrusted with proficiency keeping full confidence and loyalty to their leaderships.

"I firmly believe that it is possible to complete any work efficiently and in disciplined manner by maintaining loyalty and respect to commanders at all levels. Effective command channels could play vital role to complete any work in the army," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function of the PGR at Shaheed Captain Hafiz Hall at PGR headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment marking its 34 founding anniversary.

Appreciating the role of PGR in ensuring security of the President and the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina said firm determination, quality training and responsibilities will further enhance their goodwill and success.

"President and Prime Minister are not an individual rather they are the institutions and you are involved in ensuring security of the institutions," she added.

The Prime Minister recalled a number of steps taken by previous Awami League government from 1996 to 2001 for the welfare of the Regiment including introduction of 'guard allowance' and opening two more companies of PGR along with increasing modern arms and equipments.

"We also introduced medical facilities for parents and father and mother-in-laws of soldiers at the Combined Military Hospitals (CMH) and took initiatives for setting up 500-bed hospital with the Armed Forces Medical College," she added.

Regretting for not taking any further steps to the construction of the hospital during the last seven years the Prime Minister firmly said that the present government will complete the construction within its tenure.

Lauding the members of PGR for discharging their duties efficiently and sincerely, Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that they (PGR members) will uphold the glorious flag of the PGR by discharging their duties as courageous soldiers under any circumstance.

Paying tributes to the memory of the Father of the Nation and the greatest Bengali of all times Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said Bangabandhu in his personal initiative established the PGR on July 5, 1975. However, Bangabandhu could not see the formal activities of the PGR during his lifetime, the Prime Minister regretted.

While beginning her speech Sheikh Hasina recalled the memories of martyred army officials including Col. Emdadul Islam, Col. Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Major Moqbul Hossain and Major Humayun Kabir who were killed in the Peelkhana carnage on February 25 last.

Referring to providing collateral free loan from the Trust Bank in maintenance of residences of the soldiers, the Prime Minister said the government has a plan to increase the loan facilities to this end. She said that her government has already directed the authorities concerned to bring equality in rationing system of the three services along with increasing their daily allowances.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has a plan to increase accommodation facilities of the soldiers in the Cantonment.

"We have also directed the authorities concerned to increase LPR of the soldiers for six months from four months so that they could get more time prior to go on retirement," she added.

Appreciating the role of Bangladesh's armed forces in the UN Peace Mission, the Prime Minister said that she had directed the BTRC so that the soldiers working in peace mission abroad could talk to their family members over telephone at a minimum cost. "You will be happy to know that the matters have already been progressed," she said.

Besides, she said her government has taken necessary steps to change the colonial name of different posts of the Bangladesh Army bringing harmony to the international military arena.

Laying emphasis on taking quality training to earn efficiency, the Prime Minister said there is no alternative to training in the army life as it helps them maintaining discipline, acquiring more knowledge and keeping loyal to their leaderships.

Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that the role of members of the PGR will continue for ensuring personal security of head of the state and head of the government as well.

PGR Commandant Colonel Humayun Khaled gave the address of welcome.

Among others, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Captain (rted) BM Tajul Islam, Chiefs of three services and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Earlier, on her arrival at the venue, the Prime Minister inspected the Regiment Quarter Guard and took salute of a smartly turned out contingent.

She also handed over gifts among the family members of the martyred PGR members who were killed while on duty.