JS budget session begins tomorrow

31 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Dhaka

The budget session of the Jatiya Sangsad will begin tomorrow, but the prospect of BNP joining the session appears to be slim as its demands are yet to be fulfilled. The finance minister will place the national budget for 2010-11 fiscal on June 10. It will be the second budget of the Awami League-led grand alliance government since it came to power. Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farooque told UNB yesterday that his party is willing to return to parliament if the government is sincere in meeting their demands. The demands include withdrawal of 'false cases' against BNP chief and other leaders, and an end to making derogatory remarks against late president Ziaur Rahman and his family. BNP had staged a walk out of the House on April 4, a day before the last session was prorogued, opposing the passage of a bill raising remuneration and allowances of MPs. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had sharply reacted, saying that BNP members do not need remuneration and allowances as they had piled up wealth by looting thousands of crores of taka during their rule. Angered by the sweeping remarks, BNP lawmakers say they need to think over the issue of returning to the House following the prime minister's remarks. Farooque said his party wants to return to the House and speak both inside and outside parliament on public issues. "We hope the government will consider our demands." He also said the government is not paying any attention to their demands. So, the party chairperson and leader of the opposition is thinking over joining the budget session.