No Padma bridge with own fund: BNP
It suggests resolving dispute with WB
Dhaka, July 9 (UNB) - Opposing the government’s plan to construct the much-talked-about Padma Bridge with own fund, opposition BNP on Monday said it will create an extra burden on the country’s people.
“If the government tries to collect money issuing bonds or imposing surcharge, it’ll create an extra burden on people…It may even cast a very negative impact on the economy,” BNP standing committee member MK Anwar told a discussion.
The front-ranking BNP leader came up with the views a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina revealed in parliament her government’s plan for construction of the mega project with own fund.
Winding up her speech of the 13th session of the 9th parliament, the premier said the construction work on the bridge would start in the current fiscal year and complete within fiscal year 2015-16 at a cost of Tk 23,000 crore.
She laid out the plan as the World Bank annulled a $1.2 billion credit for Padma Bridge project recently, saying it has "credible evidence" of a high-level corruption conspiracy among Bangladesh government officials.
Speaking at the discussion, MK Anwar suggested the government to resolve the dispute with the World Bank shelving its plan to construct the mega bridge with own fund.
Sushil forum, a pro-BNP platform, organised the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.
Mentioning the sorry state of the country’s economy, Anwar said the country is not in a position to implement the big project like Padma Bridge with its internal resources.
He also asked the government to launch a fair investigation into the graft allegations in the Padma Bridge project and take action against those involved in the graft.
Criticising the ruling party men for indulging in massive corruption, the BNP leader said: “It’ll be possible to construct a number of bridges over Padma if the money looted by ministers in the last three years is given back.”
Meanwhile, opposition chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque asked the government to make public the letters sent by the World Bank and disclose the names of those charged with corruption by the global lender.
“We’ll assist the government to build the Padma Bridge. But, before that the government must disclose the names of those involved in the Padma Bridge project graft,” he said while addressing a discussion at the National Press Club organised by Jasas, a front organisation of BNP.
Farroque also urged the Prime Minister to seek apology to people for bruising the country’s image through corruption in the Padma project.
“If the government tries to collect money issuing bonds or imposing surcharge, it’ll create an extra burden on people…It may even cast a very negative impact on the economy,” BNP standing committee member MK Anwar told a discussion.
The front-ranking BNP leader came up with the views a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina revealed in parliament her government’s plan for construction of the mega project with own fund.
Winding up her speech of the 13th session of the 9th parliament, the premier said the construction work on the bridge would start in the current fiscal year and complete within fiscal year 2015-16 at a cost of Tk 23,000 crore.
She laid out the plan as the World Bank annulled a $1.2 billion credit for Padma Bridge project recently, saying it has "credible evidence" of a high-level corruption conspiracy among Bangladesh government officials.
Speaking at the discussion, MK Anwar suggested the government to resolve the dispute with the World Bank shelving its plan to construct the mega bridge with own fund.
Sushil forum, a pro-BNP platform, organised the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.
Mentioning the sorry state of the country’s economy, Anwar said the country is not in a position to implement the big project like Padma Bridge with its internal resources.
He also asked the government to launch a fair investigation into the graft allegations in the Padma Bridge project and take action against those involved in the graft.
Criticising the ruling party men for indulging in massive corruption, the BNP leader said: “It’ll be possible to construct a number of bridges over Padma if the money looted by ministers in the last three years is given back.”
Meanwhile, opposition chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque asked the government to make public the letters sent by the World Bank and disclose the names of those charged with corruption by the global lender.
“We’ll assist the government to build the Padma Bridge. But, before that the government must disclose the names of those involved in the Padma Bridge project graft,” he said while addressing a discussion at the National Press Club organised by Jasas, a front organisation of BNP.
Farroque also urged the Prime Minister to seek apology to people for bruising the country’s image through corruption in the Padma project.
Comments
No Comments on this News
