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JS rides on hope, goes into session today

Shakhawat Ijton
The long awaited ninth parliament begins its journey this afternoon with the responsibility to deliver on people's high expectations that it will put the country on the right track towards prosperity.
The magnificent Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban comes to life at 3:00pm after over two years as the new parliament sits in its first session with enormous crucial tasks, including taking decision about the fate of the 122 ordinances promulgated by the immediate past caretaker government within 30 days.
The ninth parliament, which was supposed to be formed around two years ago. will have to deliver on people's expectations for changes in the culture of destructive politics and letting the corrupt and criminals go unpunished, which largely paralysed the country's economic progress.
The constitution empowers parliament, the focal point of all activities, to
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and rights organisations, Fakhruddin Ahmed-led administration promulgated the ordinance to ensure public access to information, which is considered a major tool to fight corruption.
Replying to a question, he said the caretaker government does not need the ninth parliament to ratify its failure to hold general election within 90 days and stay in power for nearly two years.
"A High Court (HC) bench has already accepted the Election Commission's explanation for failure to hold the parliamentary polls within the constitution-stipulated time limit," he told a meet-the-press programme at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
He said the HC must have weighed carefully the implications of its decision which is now a law.
Shafique said all 122 ordinances aecreed by the president during the caretaker regime would be placed before parliament at its first sitting.
The lawmakers will decide
which of those will be presented as bill to be made into laws considering public interest.
He however said the ordinances relating to elections, finance and budget must go through parliamentary debates.
Asked whether the ruling party has any plans to amend the constitution to provide for another deputy speaker, the law minister said it would be speculative to suggest anything now as the decision rests with parliament.
He said he does not know anything about the issue, which might be discussed at Awami League Parliamentary Party meeting today.
Shafique said they will strive for honest and competent judges filling the vacant posts in the High Court and Appellate Division as soon as possible to lessen the sufferings of justice seekers.
He said he is well aware that shortage of judges in both divisions of the Supreme Court is only adding to the already hugebacklogofcases.
The law minister also said he supports separate independent secretariat for the lower judiciary and “it's expected that this question will be taken seriously".
About initiating trial of the war criminals, he said, “As of now, I have no information. I think the government will start working on the issue."
The matter may come up in parliament, he added.
Asked about plans to scrap Islam as the state religion from the constitution, Shafique said in a democratic society the state cannot divide its citizens on the basis of religion.
Queried if the government would take steps to ban religion-based politics, he said politics exploiting religion could be stopped by the Special Powers Act He urged journalists to marshal public support for an end to religion-based politics.
DRU President Shamim Ahmad presided over the meet and its General Secretary Pathik Shaha briefly spoke about functions of their organisation.