Efforts to go on to protect livelihoods, end sufferings

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government would continue to take measures to ease people's sufferings and protect their livelihoods amid coronavirus pandemic.

She said this in the Jatiya Sangsad during a discussion on the obituary motion over the deaths of Awami League MP Habibur Rahman Mollah from Dhaka-5 and other noted personalities who died in the last two months.

"We are going to place the budget tomorrow [today]. Many countries couldn't do it in these trying times. We will fight coronavirus and also continue to do whatever necessary so that people don't suffer and can lead a normal life," said Hasina, the Leader of the House.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal today places the budget for fiscal 2020-21.

Joining the discussion, Opposition Chief Whip and Jatiya Party lawmaker Mashiur Rahman Ranga suggested that the PM should join the JS session through video conference from her residence, considering her safety amid Covid-19 pandemic.

"Who will run the country in your absence?" he questioned.

In response, Hasina said she doesn't fear death and that she is ready to sacrifice her life for people.

"There is nothing to be afraid of," said the PM.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan,AL lawmakers Matia Chowdhury and ASM Feroz, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal MP Hasanul Haq Inu also took part in the discussion.

A minute's silence was observed and a munajat was offered seeking salvation and eternal peace of the departed souls.

Later, the JS unanimously adopted the obituary motion, expressing profound grief at the demise of the AL lawmaker and other distinguished personalities.

EIGHTH SESSION

The budget session of the 11th parliament began at 5:00pm with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

Wearing masks and gloves, all the lawmakers maintained social distancing.

At the beginning of the eighth session, the Speaker said, "This session will be conducted in compliance with the health guidelines."

As part of the health safety measures, a limited number of staffers of the Parliament Secretariat will be on duty during the budget session.

Journalists will not be allowed into the JS to cover the budget session. Instead, they have been requested to follow live telecast of Sangsad TV.

Elderly lawmakers and those suffering from various diseases were discouraged from attending the session.

The Parliament Secretariat's decision not to have more than 90 lawmakers in each sitting as a safety precaution was followed on the first day of the session.

At the beginning of the proceedings, the Speaker nominated a panel of five chairmen who, in chronological order, will preside over sittings of the House in the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.

The panel members are AL lawmakers Muhammad Faruk Khan, AB Tajul Islam, Muhibur Rahman Manik and Meher Afroze Chumki, and JP MP Kazi Firoz Rashid.

Law Minister Anisul Haq placed three ordinances: Use of Information Technology by Court, Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty (Amendment) Ordinance 2020, and Income Tax Amendment (Ordinance) 2020.