Lawmakers of Jatiya Party and an independent MP yesterday staged walked out from Parliament’s session protesting the government’s inaction against chairman of Biman Bangladesh for his alleged involvement in gold smuggling by using national flag carrier, and other irregularities.
Lawmakers from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, a partner of the Awami League-led ruling alliance Main Uddin Khan Badal and independent MPs–Hazi Mohammad Selim and Tahjib Alam Siddique demanded of the government to remove top Biman official Air Marshal (Retd) Jamal Uddin Ahmed immediately to save the national airliner.Of the two independent MPs, Tahjib staged walked out for two minutes after the JP lawmakers walked out of the House after at about 6:10pm and they returned the House soon after.
The heated debate on the Biman boss began as JSD MP Badal basted Jamal Uddin for his involvement in various irregularities and corruption giving Biman a bad shape.
“During the Ninth parliament, the parliamentary standing committee on civil aviation had formed a sub-committee on Biman’s corruption and see as to how it can be saved. The sub-committee submitted its report in Parliament after intensive works for six months. But the government did not take action against anyone identified by the committee,” he said while speaking on a point of order.
The JSD leader asked whether Jamal Uddin has he become a super citizen of the country.
“Why the sub-committee worked so hard if the government keeps silent regarding our findings? he sought to know.
Badal said allegation was also made from different quarters against the Biman Board chairman that he was not capable of running Biman.
He said three ministers were changed from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in the last several years but Jamal Uddin remained untouched.
Badal said Jamal Uddin is engaged in different irregularities including taking aircraft lease for Biman, route planning and appointment of 160 cabin crew.
Lambasting the Biman chairman, JP MP Kazi Feroz Rashid said a parliamentary sub-committee accused the Biman chairman of wrongdoing for which the national airliner was on the verge of collapse. Even though, the government did not take any against Jamal Uddin.
Pointing at Palash, “godson” of Biman chairman, Feroz asked if Polash’s wife was a cabin crew. But she used to travel Biman in business class, how, Feroz asked.
Before staging walkout the JP leader said they would have no other alternative but to walkout from Parliament if the minister does not give any promise regarding the Biman chairman’s removal.
As the minister remained silent, JP lawmakers walked out of the House led by Feroz Rashid.
Speaking on a point of order Tahjib Alam Siddique also lambasted Jamal Uddin and later walked out of the House.
Another independent MP Hazi Selim also went on heavily with Jamal Uddin for his alleged involvement in recent gold smuggling.
He demanded that the civil aviation minister gives a statement in Parliament explaining all these issues under section 300 of rules of procedure of parliament.
Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia who presided over the House sitting at that time said the minister cannot give his statement in response to point of orders.
He advised MPs to submit their respective notices in parliament following due procedure.
Faze Rabbi also hoped that the respective minister will take action in line with the lawmakers’ point of order to give Biman a good shape. -Staff Reporter
