The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speaker Abdul Hamid Advocate on Thursday called upon both the Treasury bench and the opposition members to further strengthen democracy through proper and constructive criticism by coming to parliament.

"In parliamentary democracy, our responsibilities are to make the Jatiya Sangsad lively through constructive criticism," the Speaker said in his winding up speech in the House.

Hamid said he himself and the Deputy Speaker tried to maintain neutrality in running parliament. "Had the opposition discussed various issues in parliament by joining it, the JS proceedings would have been more lively," he said.

The Speaker expressed the hope that the opposition would raise their demand by coming in parliament in the interest of democracy and play an effective role in turning parliament as the centre of all activities through constructive criticism of the government.

"As the Speaker, I am giving assurance to the opposition of their all facilities they deserve," he said.

In parliamentary democracy, the JS is the centre of all activities and you would perform your respective responsibilities in this great parliament by following the constitution and rules of procedure, which are expectations of the whole country as well as the nation," he told the lawmakers.

Hamid said the ninth JS was established through a free and fair election according to the expectations of the people. "Where the Jatiya Sangsad is playing its role to establish rule of law and democracy, there lawmakers remain on the top," he said.

The Speaker said the lawmakers would have to make relentless efforts for good governance and development and parliament would be lively if they ensure their effective participation in making laws.

He expressed the hope that the JS session would be livelier with the sincere efforts of all lawmakers. "We will have to keep in mind that parliament is the political centre of the hopes and aspirations of the people as well as establishing rule of law in the country," he said.

The Speaker said 22 bills were placed in 22 working days of this session. Of them, he said, 11 were passed, nine bills are under the consideration of the committee and two bills are awaiting passage.

The Speaker said the third JS session discussed three notices brought under rule 147 and it unanimously accepted the proposals. These are: International Day of Democracy, thanking Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her initiative for recognition of Bangla as an official language in the United Nations and censure motion on the bomb attack on lawmaker Barrister Fazley Noor Taposh.

Besides making laws and routine activities, he said, the JS discussed in detail the Anti-Poverty Campaign, second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper titled 'Steps toward change: National Strategy for accelerated poverty reduction (II) (FY: 2009-2011)', Jail Killing Day, Constitution Day and some important matters including the report of the parliamentary probe committees.

As many as 6.5 crore people irrespective of party and opinions had announced their pledge against poverty in the anti- poverty campaign rally, the Speaker said.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) member Dr. Col (retd) Oli Ahmed in his speech given on the last day of the current session said, "We hope that the opposition would play an important role as per their commitment in mitigating the sufferings of the people." "There may be differences of opinions, but our main aim should be development of people as well as the country," he said, adding, "The country is ours, not of any government."

Dr Oli said corrupts, terrorists, extortionists, tender manipulators and the middlemen of the government offices would have to be identified in the interest of the country.

He called upon all to perform responsibilities from their respective positions in the greater interest of the nation.

Condemning the attempt on life of Barrister Tapash, he said effective steps will have to be taken to stop all illegal activities to ensure development of the country.

Participating in the discussion, lone independent lawmaker Mohammad fazlul Azim called upon the opposition to return to parliament in the interest of the people.

"There is no alternative to democracy for the development and progress of the country and all should play their roles equally to continue the trend of democracy," he said, urging the government to take initiative to bring the oppositions back to parliament.

After the speech of Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Speaker read out the declaration of prorogation of the JS session of President Zillur Rahman.