Dhaka – Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Thursday said the nation hopes that the government the opposition will take initiatives to resolve their differences in the current session of parliament as the country is heading towards the general election.Dr Shirin said this while making her welcome address at the beginning of the 19th session of the current Parliament in the afternoon. “As per the constitution, the general election has to be held within 90 days of the dissolution of Parliament. That means the election will be held any time from October 25 to January 24.
The 19th session of Ninth Parliament began at 5:05pm on Thursday amid boycott of the opposition lawmakers. Earlier, the Business Advisory Committee in its meeting decided to run the current session of Parliament till October 24.
Shirin Sharmin termed the session very important and called upon the opposition to make the session lively by taking part in it. She said the five-year tenure of the Ninth Parliament would end on January 25.
The Speaker termed Parliament as a focal point of democracy, and the hopes and aspirations of people are implemented by the participation of both the ruling and opposition parties.
She informed the House that a number of important bills would be considered during the session. Shirin Sharmin said the nation expects that the treasury and opposition benches would take steps to resolve the differences on national important issues.
According to the decision of the Business Advisory Committee meeting each day the session will start at 5:15 pm and continue till 9 pm.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury presided over the hour-long meeting began at 4:00pm.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, Deputy Leader of Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Chief Whip Abdus Shahid, Suranjit Sengupta, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Tofail Ahmed, M Fazle Rabbi Miah, Alhaj Advocate M Rahmat Ali, Rashed Khan Menon and Abdul Matin Khasru attended the meeting. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed attended the meeting on special invitation.
The Business Advisory Committee has given the authority to the Speaker to increase or decrease the session time.
The meeting decided to hold a general discussion on ‘Strengthening Voice of Democracy’ marking the World Democracy Day on September 15.
Parliament unanimously adopted a condolence motion grieving the demise of MP Golam Sabur Tulu (Barguna-2), former lawmaker Hemayet Ullah Awranga. The Speaker moved the condolence motion in the House.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whip ASM Firoze, Jatiya Party secretary general Ruhul Amin Hawlader, Awami League MP Tofail Ahmed, Amir Hossain Amu and Shahriar Alam took part in the discussion on the motion. – Staff Reporter
