Padma Bridge with own fund, reaffirms PM
Dhaka, July 11 (UNB) - Renewing her strong commitment to build the country’s biggest Padma Bridge with own fund, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said she cannot earn any bad name without committing anything wrong.
“I’m confident I didn’t do anything wrong. So, I won’t accept any disrepute (regarding the Padma Bridge),” she said adding, “Inshallah, we’ll begin the construction work on the Padma Bridge.”
The Prime Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the National Council 2012 of Awami Swechchasebak League at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
AL organising secretary AFM Bahabuddin Nasim, Swechchasebak League president Molla Md Abu Kawser, general secretary Pankaj Debnath spoke on the occasion. Nirmal Ranjan Guha delivered the welcome address.
In a scathing attack on the World Bank, Hasina raised question for whose interest the lending agency cheated the common people of Bangladesh with alleged suspicion of corruption.
She alleged the World Bank cancelled its US$ 1.2 billion loan to Bangladesh for Padma Bridge although they did not release even a single taka. “Had they (WB) released even one taka, then no question would have been raised.”
She mentioned that the government has so far spent Tk 1,500 crore on land acquisition and rehabilitation and no allegation of corruption was raised in this regard even by the World Bank.
The AL chief also recalled that the World Bank had cancelled funding in seven projects in communication and power sectors during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat for their corruption.
Responding to the criticism that the government would not be able to build the bridge with its own fund, Hasina said, “We don’t want to beg. If we take loan then we’ll repay it with interest. It’s not begging…the people of Bangladesh didn’t bow to anyone and will do it never.”
She went on: “I believe we’ll be able to begin the construction work on the Padma Bridge as we haven’t assumed power to commit corruption, and we’re not in power for the first time.”
Referring to the overwhelming response of the common people when the Prime Minister made her cellphone numbers public, Hasina mentioned the people of Bangladesh have proved that the present government is on the path of truth and justice regarding the bridge issue.
The Prime Minister said if the donors come up with their offer to fund the bridge, the government would only decide after scrutiny whether it would take the assistance.
She alleged that the opposition leader and her family members had indulged in corruption and siphoned off money abroad. “Even Khaleda Zia, being a former Prime Minister, whitened black money paying fine.”
Hasina mentioned that the trial of the 10-truck arms haul case in Chittagong, August 21 grenade attack case and the trial of war criminals are already underway, and the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Referring to the BDR mutiny, she alleged why the opposition leader had gone underground coming out of her the then cantonment residence just 2-3 hours before the mutiny started in a vehicle featuring black glasses and why Khaleda did not return to her residence for the next one and a half months.
“The mystery is gradually unfolding,” she added.
Stating that the BDR mutiny case is being held in a disciplined manner, the Prime Minister said the trial of the killing case in BDR mutiny has also begun and urged all to remain alert about those trying to save the killers through obstructing the trial.
Hasina alleged after losing her cantonment residence following a court verdict, Khaleda Zia cried her heart out, called programmes like hartal and even burned innocent people to death.
On the other hand, she said, Awami League does politics only to serve the people of the country.
Highlighting various successes and achievements the country made during the tenure of the present government, the Prime Minister said some 1.30 crore people came under the new power network along with 25 lakh new power connections, employment opportunities have been created for some 75 lakh people, including 4.5 lakh, in the public sector.
She also mentioned holding of over 5,200 different elections in a free, fair and neutral manner, increasing the foreign currency reserve to over US$ 10 billion, increasing export earnings and attaining food security.
Mentioning that her government has revived the spirit of the Liberation War through the 15th amendment to the constitution, the Prime Minister expressed her strong resolve to turn the country into a middle-income one by 2021.
She also directed the leaders and activists of Awami Swechchasebak League to project the development activities of the government as well as to render their services for ensuring welfare of the common people to build ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“I’m confident I didn’t do anything wrong. So, I won’t accept any disrepute (regarding the Padma Bridge),” she said adding, “Inshallah, we’ll begin the construction work on the Padma Bridge.”
The Prime Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the National Council 2012 of Awami Swechchasebak League at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
AL organising secretary AFM Bahabuddin Nasim, Swechchasebak League president Molla Md Abu Kawser, general secretary Pankaj Debnath spoke on the occasion. Nirmal Ranjan Guha delivered the welcome address.
In a scathing attack on the World Bank, Hasina raised question for whose interest the lending agency cheated the common people of Bangladesh with alleged suspicion of corruption.
She alleged the World Bank cancelled its US$ 1.2 billion loan to Bangladesh for Padma Bridge although they did not release even a single taka. “Had they (WB) released even one taka, then no question would have been raised.”
She mentioned that the government has so far spent Tk 1,500 crore on land acquisition and rehabilitation and no allegation of corruption was raised in this regard even by the World Bank.
The AL chief also recalled that the World Bank had cancelled funding in seven projects in communication and power sectors during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat for their corruption.
Responding to the criticism that the government would not be able to build the bridge with its own fund, Hasina said, “We don’t want to beg. If we take loan then we’ll repay it with interest. It’s not begging…the people of Bangladesh didn’t bow to anyone and will do it never.”
She went on: “I believe we’ll be able to begin the construction work on the Padma Bridge as we haven’t assumed power to commit corruption, and we’re not in power for the first time.”
Referring to the overwhelming response of the common people when the Prime Minister made her cellphone numbers public, Hasina mentioned the people of Bangladesh have proved that the present government is on the path of truth and justice regarding the bridge issue.
The Prime Minister said if the donors come up with their offer to fund the bridge, the government would only decide after scrutiny whether it would take the assistance.
She alleged that the opposition leader and her family members had indulged in corruption and siphoned off money abroad. “Even Khaleda Zia, being a former Prime Minister, whitened black money paying fine.”
Hasina mentioned that the trial of the 10-truck arms haul case in Chittagong, August 21 grenade attack case and the trial of war criminals are already underway, and the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Referring to the BDR mutiny, she alleged why the opposition leader had gone underground coming out of her the then cantonment residence just 2-3 hours before the mutiny started in a vehicle featuring black glasses and why Khaleda did not return to her residence for the next one and a half months.
“The mystery is gradually unfolding,” she added.
Stating that the BDR mutiny case is being held in a disciplined manner, the Prime Minister said the trial of the killing case in BDR mutiny has also begun and urged all to remain alert about those trying to save the killers through obstructing the trial.
Hasina alleged after losing her cantonment residence following a court verdict, Khaleda Zia cried her heart out, called programmes like hartal and even burned innocent people to death.
On the other hand, she said, Awami League does politics only to serve the people of the country.
Highlighting various successes and achievements the country made during the tenure of the present government, the Prime Minister said some 1.30 crore people came under the new power network along with 25 lakh new power connections, employment opportunities have been created for some 75 lakh people, including 4.5 lakh, in the public sector.
She also mentioned holding of over 5,200 different elections in a free, fair and neutral manner, increasing the foreign currency reserve to over US$ 10 billion, increasing export earnings and attaining food security.
Mentioning that her government has revived the spirit of the Liberation War through the 15th amendment to the constitution, the Prime Minister expressed her strong resolve to turn the country into a middle-income one by 2021.
She also directed the leaders and activists of Awami Swechchasebak League to project the development activities of the government as well as to render their services for ensuring welfare of the common people to build ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
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