SYLHET Mar 2: Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia today accused the government of maintaining se-crec}' over the issue of natural gas and oil and cautioned that any wrong decision concerning this promising sector would be suicidal, reports UNB.

"We re now in an unfortunate situation where all decisions of national importance are being taken secretly without any discussion and review, even keeping the elected representatives in the dark." she told the concluding session of a 3-day conference of the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh.

Khaleda said people's opinion has sharpened against the fiurchase of Mig-29 by spending mge public money in unproductive sector. She said various irregularities in buying these were discussed in parliamentary committee, newspapers published articles and finally it was dragged to court.

The country, she said, is already incurring losses of crores of Taka because of this expenditure in unproductive sector and any mistake in oil and gas sector would be disastrous.

The BNP chairperson said the government is failing to utilize foreign aid and loan in development sectors because of inefficiency and corruption. The government has to borrow crores of Taka from bank to meet the public expenditure due to economic mismanagement, she said.

Khaleda said efficient people are losing interest in their work as incompetence, nepotism, regionalism and politicisation are overtaking efficiency and experience.

Criticising the government slogan for poverty alleviation, she said doctors and engineers remain unemployed in a country where their number is too inadequate to meet the requirement. This contradictory situation must end.

Referring to the opposition's abstention from Parliament. Khaleda blamed the ruling Awami League for making Parliament ineffective by telling lies and uttering irrelevant words in the House. She said people have no trust or interest in "one-party Parliament."'

The opposition leader said her parly made all efforls to make Parliament working and project people's misery, bui the government has turned the House into a parly institution.

Referring to two past agreements will) the government, she said BNP signed the second agreement even after the violation of the first one signed in presence of the Speaker. But the party in power violated all accords without any hesitation.

IEB leaders including Mozammel Huq. Akhtar Hossain and MA Hannan also spoke al the function.