The Awami League working committee has welcomed the initiatives of the Parliament members irrespective of party affiliaUons to establish parliamentary democracy in the country.

The committee expressed the hope that the members would arrive at a decision acceptable to all to fulfil commitments of the three alliances for materialising people's aspirations.

The two-day committee meeting, that ended Saturday afternoon, reviewed the political situation and discussed the Constitution amendment bills

introduced in Parliament. The meeting was presided over by AL chief Sheildi Hasina.

In a resolution adopted at the meeting, the committee mentioned about the amendment bill submitted by AL leader Abdus Samad Azad on April 14 and said that the bill, aimed at upholding parliamentary democracy, especially emphasised the status and democratic rights of Parliament members.

The meeting deplored that the ruling party the BNP. tactfully delayed the introduction of the AL bill and introduced

Its eleventh Constitution amendment bill' for the transfer of power before making parliament sovereign.

About the twelfth amend ment bill Introduced by the BNP. the AL working commit tee maintained that though the bill was for establishing par liamentary system, it curbed the status and democratic rights of the MPs.

The committee said that the BNPs move was an Indication of establishing "parliamentary autocracy’, and its bill was Introduced in a par tisan angle. The meeting claimed that the AL bill was acceptable to all.

As regards the BNPs bill on the transfer of power, the AL resolution said that the introduction of this bill before establishing a .sovereign parliament has created doubt and confusion.

The AL meeting expressed fear that after the passage of eleventh amendment bill for the transfer of power, the BNP might withdraw the twelfth amendment bill under some plea and continue presidential system after holding presidential election under its government.

The AL meeting deplored the ruling of the Speaker on July 4 that changed the heading of the AL bill and said that the nation was surprised at this ruling.

The AL meeting criticised the appointment of BNP par-tymcn at different positions in the local government administration and alleged that the BNP was avoiding elections though the party came to pdwer through elections.

The meeting mentioned appointment of BNP partymen as mayors in the city corpora-

tions of Dhaka. Chlttagpng. Khulna and Rajshahi and said that the trend was against democratic norms and values.

The meeting also criticised repressive measures on the officers and employees In different spheres of administration and said that the measures would hamper the establishment of a neutral administrative system.

In another resolution the AL working committee expressed deep regret and concern at the violence in various academic Institutions tn the country including Dhaka University. Chittagong University and Jagannath University College.

The meeting concluded 4hat the government has failed to maintain law and order in the campuses and to restore the academic atmosphere due to Its party outlook.

The meeting also noted the deteriorating law and order situation in the country that started after the election.

The meeting also demanded immediate release of AL working committee member. Kader Siddiqui and student leader Mohiuddin Ahmed, one of the leaders of the movement against autoc-racy.

The meeting also demanded the release of all political prisoners in the country including members of the Awami League.

The meeting also expressed deep concern over the unusual hike in prices of essential items after the budget announcements.

In a resolution, the meeting expressed deep resentment at the lack of effective programmes for rehabilitation in the coastal areas and the alleged irregularities in relief distribution.