Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that her government has given priority to implement six important projects including Padma multipurpose bridge and Rampal coal-based power plant projects with a view to speeding up the economic growth rate in the country.
Under Fast Tract programme, the other prioritized projects of the government are— Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Development (Metro Rail) Project, Sonadia Deep Sea Port Project and LNG Terminal Construction Project.The Prime Minister disclosed this while replying to a question from Shamsul Haque Chowdhury of Chittagong-12 constituency.
She also highlighted some significant aspects of long time economic plans of the government that include establishing the country as a middle income country by 2021 and developed country by 2041.
The long time plans also include reducing the number of poor people, who are living under poverty line to 13 per cent by 2021, increase the contribution of industries sector in the national growth rate from 25 to 40 per cent and the rate of tax income in the GDP from 14.1 to 20 per cent by 2021.
Replying to a supplementary question from Chowdhury, Shekh Hasina said the government has taken up a plan to implement different projects including digging up 1,151.80km of canals and setting up 259 deep tube wells to facilitate farmers for irrigation during the 2013-2014 fiscal.
Responding to another question, the Prime Minister assured Parliament that the government would be able to continue the development trend after compensating the damages caused by the BNP-Jamaat alliance before the January 5 general elections.
She told a questioner that the income of day-labourer has been increased and they could purchase 10-12 kgs of rice with their day’s income but they could buy only three to four kgs of rice with their day’s income during the BNP-Jamaat government.
Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said the government has taken the effort to construct the Sonadia Deep Sea Port based on Government to Government (G to G) considering its financing and others matters.
She added that a 10-member committee headed by the principal secretary has been working to prepare specific recommendations after examining proposals submitted by interested countries and development partners for construction of the port based on G to G. – Staff Reporter
