‘Govt reviewing 101 deals with India, decision soon’

Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Nurul Islam Moni said on Friday that the government is reviewing 101 agreements signed with India during the ousted Sheikh Hasina government and would soon decide what action to take if any provisions were found to be against Bangladesh’s interests.

He made the remarks at a press conference at the media centre of the Jatiya Sangsad following the third session of the 13th Parliament.

Moni said the government wanted to maintain friendly relations with neighbouring India while giving the highest priority to Bangladesh’s national interests.

“Bangladesh and India will remain friends, but that friendship will never be allowed to go against the interests of our country,” he said.

He said the agreements are being reviewed to identify provisions that might conflict with national interests and that necessary measures would be taken accordingly.

Briefing reporters on the parliamentary session, Moni said six bills were introduced and passed during the nine working days.

Of 2,820 questions submitted by lawmakers to the prime minister and ministers, 1,693 were answered. Of the 144 questions submitted to the prime minister, 15 were answered, while ministers responded to 1,678 of 2,676 questions.

During the session, 35 parliamentary committees were formed or reconstituted, while one special committee was also reconstituted.

Seven notices were received under Rule 68, of which two were accepted for discussion. Under Rule 71, 15 notices were accepted and 14 were discussed. Another 124 notices were received under Rule 71(A) for two-minute speeches. Two notices were submitted under Rule 147, with one discussed, while one notice was brought under Rule 302.

On opposition representation in parliamentary committees, Moni said there had been only a few instances in the past when opposition MPs were appointed chairpersons of such committees.

He pointed out that opposition deputy leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher had been made chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Of the 39 ministry-related standing committees, opposition members were included in 24, he said, adding that the figure was slightly higher than their proportionate representation in Parliament.

Regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s invitation to the BRICS summit in India, Moni said the invitation was extended to Bangladesh in its capacity as chair of BIMSTEC and was not a personal invitation to the prime minister.

He said Bangladesh wanted to maintain relations with all neighbouring countries and other states but would give greater importance to countries with which it had stronger national interests.

“Tarique Rahman is Bangladesh’s prime minister. Won’t you extend that much respect to an independent nation? Is that too much to expect from you (India)?” he said.

Moni also raised the killing of Felani and India’s barbed-wire fencing along the border, accusing India of “presenting itself as a friend while taking actions that hurt Bangladesh”.

He also alleged that India had restricted the movement of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and detained Bangladeshi vessels.

Speaking about the Transfer of Property Act passed during the session, Moni questioned the opposition’s objection to the law on Shariah grounds. He said the legislation was enacted to protect the rights and security of elderly parents.

On legislation concerning enforced disappearances and human rights protection, he said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed himself had been a victim of enforced disappearance.

Moni said the government had consulted 16 foreign ambassadors before framing the legislation and had also sought opinions from lawyers, judges, journalists and other stakeholders to prevent loopholes that could facilitate human rights violations.

He said the new legislation replaced the previous provision of punishment of “up to 10 years” with a specified minimum sentence and incorporated a provision for capital punishment.