Two-thirds of MPs to remain absent in JS

For the first time in the history of Bangladesh, the national budget for fiscal year 2020-21 is going to be placed in parliament today (Thursday) without presence of all its members as the country is grappling with the coronaviruspandemic.

The 8th session of the 11th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that began on Wednesday, with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, would continue with only one-third of the lawmakers every day, Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury told the FE on Wednesday.

For this session, which is expected to continue until the first week of July, some special health and security measureswere taken for the members of parliament (MPs) amid the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal is scheduled to propose the national budget for fiscal year (FY) 2020-21 at 3:0pm.

The Chief Whip said the MPs would have to wear masks and gloves for attending the budget session.

The comparatively senior and sick lawmakers are discouraged to attend the session for ensuringtheir health safety during this pandemic, he added.

Officials at the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariatsaid theyhad temporarily changed the seating arrangement in the house to ensure health and safety of the lawmakers. Several seats surrounding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will remain vacant.

They said the Whiphas already made an itinerary and seating plans for the MPs.

The Chief Whip told the FE: "Around 100 MPs out of 350 will attend the budget session every day. We have planned to shorten the session with highest health safety measures,"

When asked to elaborate, he said that around 100 MPs will attend the session by rotation in every alternative day.

"Among the attendees, appropriate lawmakers who will take part at the discussion on certain issues will be present on a certain day. He will not attend on the following day if he does not have any discussion or bill," Mr Chowdhury said.

According to the Bangladesh parliament Secretariat, a special tunnel for the participants has been set up and adequate sanitizer and disinfectant are available in the parliament gate and inside the complex.

They said a limited number of staff and employees who are directly involved with this budget session will only attend in the parliament complex for facilitating the session.

Considering the health risk, the journalists were not invited to attend the budget session this year. Diplomats from different countries and important personalities and visitors were not also invited.

The Parliament Secretariat officials said the discussion on the proposed budget for FY2021 will begin on June 16. The finance bill is likely to be passed on June 29 and the national budget on June 30.