Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria said Public Safety Bill would help improve the law and order situation that was identified as a major hindrance to economic growth, reports UNB.

"Law and order must be put on a solid base to take our efforts for economic growth to a successful end," he said while briefing nfewsmen at the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) yesterday.

State Minister for Information Abu Sayeed also spoke at the briefing.

Kibria referred to the concerns expressed by the business community over violence, extortion. tender grabbing and hartals at their recent confer-

ence. which was attended by both the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.

He said entrepreneurs were reluctant to Invest because of violence and toll collection by terrorists although banks are ready to finance.

Kibria who was critical of anti-terrorism law sponsored by BNP during Its rule said th' Public Safety Law was differen.. It provided adequate safeguard against harassment of the innocent and also punishment for filing false cases.

Justifying the necessity of the controversial new law. Kibria pointed to the loopholes of the existing ones under which criminals secured release on bail and evaded punishment due to lengthy process of trial.

The whole process of trial of a criminal case takes a maximum of four months in USA. Germany and Switzerland. Kibria said. "What is normal practice in other countries, "we’re

trying to ensure it by law. So, the new law can In no way be termed as draconian ... Now It will not take months and years for investigation and trial of a criminal case of such nature."

Kibria accused the oppositionparties of trying to create a confrontational situation through hartals, damage to properties and bomb blasts.

The flood-ravaged economy was recovering fast and it was evident in economic Indicators. Export marked a 7 per cent rise. Industry grew by 6 per cent and inllation rate remained at controlled. 3.4 per cent irt November.

"But. we fear whether the trend will continue in the face of constraints like hartal and violence," Kibria.said.

Prof Abu Sayeed said it is no surprise that BNP, Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami which were born through state terrorism will oppose the new law.