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JS debates quorum crisis after yet another late start

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday ran itself into a heated debate on quorum crisis that has plagued the eighth parliament.
Treasury and opposition lawmakers accused each other for the crisis that also delayed yesterday's session by at least 40 minutes in various sittings.
During the debate, questions were also raised about the frequent absence of the leader of the house and leader of the opposition in sessions.
However, Deputy Speaker Akhter Hamid Siddiqui, who pre-
sided over the session, urged lawmakers to attend the house in time to avoid quorum crisis during the important budget session.
He also criticised the lawmakers for not attending the House in time on Saturday, when the delay in starting the session clocked a new record of one hour and 45 minutes.
Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, Chief Whip Khandokar Delwar Hossain, AL legislators Abdus Samad Azad, Abdur Razzak and opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shahid participated in the debate.
Razzak first raised the issue of quorum crisis and blasted the trea-SEE PAGE 11 COL 4 FROM PAGE 1
sury bench for the unprecedented delay in beginning the sitting on Saturday.
"Crores of taka are being lost because of quorum crises. The leader of the house does not join the session and ministers remain absent. How will the parliament be effective? quipped Razzak.
In reply, Moudud said the treasury bench alone is not responsible for quorum crises and the opposition should be equally blamed for it.
"Awami League lawmakers were inside the parliament building on Saturday. But they did not join the session in time. The leader of the opposition was also absent,'' said Moudud.
Taking floor, Samad Azad criticised Moudud's statement and demanded the comments on the opposition leader to be expunged.
"Moudud is an expert in speaking on the wrong point and he does not go by the rules of procedure,'' observed Samad Azad.
Chief Whip Delwar Hossain in an attempt to pacify the debate said sessions are usually not held on Saturdays. But the parliament was in session last Saturday because of a decision by the business advisory
committee. So, many lawmakers were not aware of the decision and went to their constituency, he added.
"The opposition lawmakers are also responsible for crises as they wait outside the House till the quorum is formed. It is not a good practice,'' he added.
Opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shahid rejected the explanation and said the parliament has become nonfunctional because of quorum crises. "The government is solely responsible for it. They are covering up their own failure by putting the onus on the opposition,'' said Shahid.