Anti-graft, irregularities drive continues: PM

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has warned that action against people, found involvement with graft or other irregularities harmful to the country, would continue irrespective of their political affiliations or position in society.

“Let me tell you one thing very clearly, if anyone makes money through dishonest way, if that person's dishonesty, indiscipline and irregularities get caught, then whoever that person is, even if that person belongs to my party, our actions will continue against them,” the United News of Bangladesh quotes Hasina as saying.

The Prime Minister came up with the declaration while addressing a civic reception accorded to her at Hotel Marriot Marquis on Saturday. The USA chapter of Awami League organized the program.

She said her government has taken measures against militancy, terrorism, drugs and corruption.

“[For] those who want to lead their lives in honest way and for their children it becomes hard ... An honest person has to face some difficulties in leading his/her life,” she said.

Hasina said those who make money through dishonest means could spend their money for highly expensive brands and for lavish life.

“The result of this is, it makes the life of an honest person difficult compared to the dishonest person,” she said. In this connection, she said the government has taken the move to remove this disparity from the society.

Sheikh Haisna said the government has given huge fiscal budget and took massive development programs. But she noted that if every Taka of these development projects was spent properly, then Bangladesh could have developed a lot.

“Now, we've to find out where the loopholes and lapses are and who are affecting (the country) in which way,” she said.

She said she had given directives to the concerned authorities to sort out the suspected persons enquiring about their income, their lifestyle and how they lead their lives.

“By this, we’ll be able to stamp out corruption and dishonesty and save the society and future generation,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina again said the drive against drugs will be continued, because this destroys a family and a country.

“We’ll find out those who are involved with this,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the power of the people is the main power and her party Awami League believes in the power of the people.

In this regard, she mentioned Awami League has a specific economic policy and Bangladesh witnessed stunning development whenever it came to power.

As the people got their desired development under the Awami League government in the past, they kept their trust and confidence in the party, she said.

The Prime Minister described steps of her government for improving living standard of the people.

Coming down heavily on a section of so called intellectuals for their jealousy, she said they never find anything good in the works of her government.

In her speech, Sheikh Hasina urged the expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in Bangladesh to further develop the country.

“We’re setting up 100 economic zones, if you want you can invest there also,” she said.

The Prime Minister highlighted the long political struggles and sacrifice of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Earlier, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement, Liberation War, the Father of the Nation and others who died in the August 15 massacre.

Kamruzzaman