‘Govt to mitigate sufferings alongside fighting COVID-19’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that the government would continue to take measures to ease sufferings of the people by restoring their normal livelihoods alongside fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Today we’re going to place the budget. Many countries can’t place this in this tough time. But I say no. We will face coronavirus on one hand. We’ve faced cyclone Amphan. On the other hand, I’ll continue to do whatever needed so that the normal life of the people of our country could go on and they would not suffer,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this while participating in the discussion on the condolence motion over the death of sitting MP (Dhaka-5) Habibur Rahman Mollah and a number of dignitaries including eight former MPs and an ex-Ganoparishad member.

The eight former MPs are Waliur Rahman Reza (Gaibandha-5), Khandaker Asaduzzaman (Tangail-2), Mamtaz Begum, (also MNA-1971), Alhaj Mokbul Hossain (former Dhaka-9), Kamrun Nahar Putul (Reserved seat), former state minister Anwarul Kabir Talukder (Jamalpur-4), MA Matin (Chandpur-5) and Syed Rahmatur Rob Irtiza Ahsan (Barguna-2). And the ex-Ganoparishad member is Zahirul Islam.

The other dignitaries include eminent educationists National Professor Prof Dr Anisuzzaman, Prof Dr Jamilur Reza Chowdhury and Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mian’s wife Anwara Rabbi and former chief whip Abul Hasnat Abdullah’s wife Shahan Ara Abdullah.

Sheikh Hasina, also the Leader of the House, said she is not afraid of death and she returned to Bangladesh for doing something for the people of the country.

“I didn’t come here to survive, rather to sacrifice the life for the people. So, there is nothing to be afraid of here,” she said over a suggestion of Opposition Chief Whip Md Mashiur Rahman Ranga.

Ranga, joining the discussion, suggested that the Prime Minister can virtually join the parliament session through a videoconference from her residence considering her safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

'Attending the unattended'

The Prime Minister said many people, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on small businesses, works or day labourers, lost their works due to the novel coronavirus.

She said the government reached foods to the houses of the needy people, arranged cash money for them and even provided assistances from orphanage and mosques to cultural activists or journalists in different ways finding out everyone.

Sheikh Hasina said there is a huge population who suffers but remains unattended, like the workers in the film industries and rickshaw-art painters.

“I’ve also been trying to ease the sufferings of a huge unattended population to some extent,” she said adding that her younger sister Sheikh Rehana suggested helping the workers in the film industries and rickshaw painters as they remain unattended.

Sheikh Hasina extended thanks to the Awami League’s activists, leaders and the affluent sections and others of the society to stand beside the needy people in this time of crisis.

She said it is very shocking that the people behave inhumanely with their relatives being scared of COVID-19.

The Prime Minister praised police and Chhatra League and Jubo League for carrying out funeral works of the deceased and helping ailing persons.

“When the people leave the body of their near ones, Chhatra League and Jubo League show this humanity. So, I’m optimistic,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina also thanked the activists of Chhatra League, Krishak League and Swecchasebak League for engaging in harvesting paddy to help farmers during the tough time.

'Nature takes its revenge'

During cyclone Amphan, the government evacuated some 24 lakh people and six lakh domestic animals maintaining health guidelines in the country’s costal belt.

The Prime Minister said the administration and the people are together in the fight against Coronavirus. Everyone including Police, Armed Forces, Ansar-VDP, BGB physicians, nurses and health workers have been rendering the services regularly, she said.

She said people, including political activists and journalists, are working sincerely in this regard.

Noting that the coronavirus caused a worldwide deadlock situation and took many lives, she said the number of people who recovered is much high. Even then, the people are now frightened, she added.

The is no use of any power in facing coronavirus by a country no matter how much it is powerful in terms economy or arms. “It seems Coronavirus is the most powerful and the nature takes its revenge,” she added.

Condolence motion

Talking about Habibur Rahman Mollah, the Prime Minister said he was active in every movement and struggle. He was a courageous and very popular politician, she added. 

About Prof Anisuzzaman, Sheikh Hasina said he is her teacher. “I always respected him as my teacher no matter I’m the Prime Minister or any other...”  

Besides, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Awami League MPs Matia Chowdhury and ASM Feroz, Jasod MP Hasanul Haq Inu took part in the discussion.

A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls.

Later, the Parliament unanimously adopted the condolence motion expressing profound grief at the demise of the sitting MP and the noted personalities.