EC to announce parliament election schedule on finalisation of voters’ list: Chief Adviser

DHAKA: Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the Election Commission is the legal competent body to announce the schedule for general election and observed that the schedule might not be annou-nced before finalisation of the voters' list across the country.(The Bangladesh Today)

Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Council of Advisors at Khulna Circuit House in the afternoon, he said it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to conduct all elections, including the parliamentary polls, and announce the schedules in time.

"So far I know, it may not be possible for the Election Commission to announce the schedule for general election until the voters' list is finalised throughout the country," he told a correspondent.

About the timeframe of the election to the ninth parliament, stalled following the January 11, 2007 changeover amid a political crisis, the Chief Adviser said since he had already stated about the timeframe (3rd week of December), he wouldn't repeat it.

The questions cropped up as major political parties are insisting on immediate announcement of the election schedule and advancing the polls to October by jumping the timeline set in the EC-set roadmap. About oath of the newly elected Mayors of the City Corporations, LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal said usually, the elected Mayors are supposed to take oath after a month of the elections. He said the LGRD ministry sent a summary to the Chief Adviser with a request to him to administer the oath to the city Mayors, and his response is awaited. Besides, the Adviser said the Mayors-elect would have to submit the affidavit of their statements of wealth before taking oath of office. In reply to a question, Iqbal said, "The government would consider applications for parole to take oath by the elected Mayors now in jail." It was the fifth and last meeting of the Council of Advisers at the Divisional Headquarters. Today's meeting, chaired by Dr Fakhruddin, approved in principle the Upazila Parishad Ordinance 2008 subject to some improvements.

The meeting also endorsed a 37-point development plan for Khulna division.

Asked about the disbursement of money for buying jute for jute mills, the Chief Adviser said the funds are being released.

Last year, Tk 150 crore was released during the winter to buy jute as he said the government wants timely purchase of jute for the jute mills. However, he said the jute associations must be accountable on this account.

About the reopening of closed jute mills, Dr Fakhruddin said the government wants the jute mills to be in production under private management. "Since the public-sector jute industries incur losses, some mills in Chittagong were leased and the same policy could be adopted in Khulna." The Chief Adviser said the government paid off the outstanding wages of the workers and it needs to be monitored whether the money was properly distributed.

About the operation of Khulna airport, he said it is difficult for the government if it is not financially viable. He noted that airports in Barisal and Rajshahi were closed down on the same grounds. He posed a counter-question whether it is possible to run an institution by giving subsidy.

The 37-point development plan to be implemented at a cost of Tk 10,131 crore includes development of roads, education, health, modernisation of Mongla port, resolving problems of water-logging, electricity, rural infrastructure, forest and environment, and sports and culture.

Anwarul Iqbal, who briefed the press on the development plan, said the government decided to activate Mongla seaport, and fertilisers and reconditioned cars would be imported through this port to increase its economic activities.

He said steps would be taken to increase the navigability of the Mongla port. The Adviser said two projects with estimated costs of Tk 628.70 crore and Tk 342.18 crore with assistance of ADB are now under implementation to supply gas to 21 southwestern districts, including Khulna. Iqbal said production has started from 40MW rental power station in Khulna and the electricity problem here will be eased with the commissioning of the 34.5MW power station in Bhola.

The Adviser said the bridge over the Teesta River in Narail was completed. It will be named after renowned artist SM Sultan.

He said work on the Padma Bridge would start in July 2010 and its design would be submitted in 2009. Advisers, Cabinet Secretary and Press Secretary to the CA were present at the Council-of-Advisers meeting that lasted two and a half hours since 11:00 am.

Source : The Bangladesh Today