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CARETAKER GOVT REFORMS

PM urges AL to place demand in JS

Plays down essentials price hike

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the Awami League (AL) to place its demand for reforms of the caretaker government system in the House where it will be discussed, if necessary.
Winding up the budget session, Khaleda blasted the AL for demanding such reforms and said the opposition's activities are a conspiracy to create anarchy and tarnish the image of the country.
The prime minister also told the
House although prices of essentials have not increased, some newspapers are reporting on the issue 'for nothing'.
"They (the AL) want a caretaker government that will be of the Awami League, by the Awami League and for the Awami League," she maintained.
"To have such a caretaker government, they are now holding frequent meetings but cannot reach to an agreement," she added.
"The caretaker government is neutral only when the Awami League wins the election," Khaleda said and bitterly criticised the AL for 'conspiring to destabilise the government'.
The prime minister said: "Nothing will happen by their bringing out processions from the House with black flags. You will not be able to get public attention through such programmes."
Making a fresh call upon the AL to return to parliament in the next session, the prime minister said, "People have voted you to parliament to take part in its proceedings, not to create anarchy in the streets."
The prime minister said the main opposition is scared by the 'massive development works' of the government.
"The main opposition is concerned and for this it is now talking about reforms of the caretaker government," she added.
Khaleda said the AL now demands reforms of the caretaker government system which it once termed the best system for free and fair election. It was also the AL's brainchild, she added.
The prime minister was critical of the leader of the opposition, Sheikh Hasina, and questioned her credibility because of her past remarks about caretaker government and hartal.
Lauding activities of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in maintaining law and order, Khaleda said despite 'propaganda' by the opposition to stop activities of the elite force, the government will continue its drive.
PRICES OF ESSENTIALS
The prime minister told the House that prices of essentials have not increased and some newspapers are cooking up reports.
"We will have to consider prices of essentials in the international context rather than thinking of it in local context only," she said.
"We import edible oil among many other items and prices of these products are high on the international market," she pointed out.
But, the premier said, prices of a few products have been increased intentionally.
Khaleda justified the existing prices of different essentials including food by saying: "We will have to provide fair price to the farmers to encourage production. Despite these facts, we are aware of the situation and the government will take action if there is any suffering of commoners due to price hike."