Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the people to keep up the bright prospect created over the last four years for economic emancipation of the nation in light of the spirit of the War of Liberation.
She also urged the opposition party to shun politics of confrontation and retreat from their venture to protect the war criminals to build a prosperous future for which the nation was born shedding the bloods of millions 41 years ago.
Addressing the nation Friday evening over radio and television marking the four-year completion of her government in office, the Prime Minister said, despite many limitations and obstacles, Bangladesh's economy now remains in strong position than ever before and it is progressing on right track in all indexes.
"Only you can help keeping the country's dazzling prospect continue and only you can give us the opportunity to carry on our efforts to build together a beautiful country for the posterity."
The Prime Minister in her 28-minute speech pointed out her government's promises given to the nation prior to 2008 general election and present status of the fulfillment of these commitments.
As well as she highlighted the projects implemented over the last four years to materialize her government's Vision 2021 to build a Digital Bangladesh and brighten the country's image abroad as a pacifist nation stamping out corruption, militancy and terrorism.
Her speech was also featured with her government's initiatives to achieve nation's food security, healthcare, education, rural and urban development, welfare of working class people, social safety net, climate change mitigation, infrastructural development and promotion of trade and commerce.
Besides, the Prime Minister also mentioned about her government's persistent efforts to establish good governance, trial of the war criminals and BDR mutineers, religious freedom and tolerance and improvement of the country's electoral system.
Sheikh Hasina said her government took office four years back when the country was reeling from severe crisis in most of the areas of economy, politics and society.
"At that time a sense of scare was prevailing everywhere, the prices of essentials were high, public life was shattered, the businessmen and investors were living in panic, the farmers were unable to continue their occupation because of high costs of irrigation, fertilizer and other materials," she said adding the lives of people were completely unsecured and human rights were endangered plus no freedom of expression.
Simultaneously, severe financial crisis was persisting in the global economic arena with price spiral of all consumer goods including food items, she said.
"It was an acid test for us. We worked relentlessly over the last four years to overcome the crisis with our overwhelming support resulted in speedy progress of the country," she said adding every family is now enjoying the benefit of development.
Extending her gratitude to the people for their verdict in 2008 election to transform Bangladesh into a digital one, the Prime Minister said 'after four years in power we can proudly say that we could fulfill your expectations to a large extent amidst widespread barriers and limitations.'
"In some sectors we could achieve more than our commitments," she said adding in the coming days our advancement would surely be continued taking all of you on the board.
Portraying the bright picture of the state of economy, the Prime Minister said the country has recorded 6.5 percent economic growth on an average over the last four years. Revenue income has been increased two fold in four years that helped allocating more budget for development works to expedite country's socio-economic activities.
In this regard she mentioned about the budgetary allocation for Annual Development Program (ADP) saying in the current fiscal year the allocation was Taka 55,000 crore while it was only Taka 22,000 in 2008.
During the last four years, 20.40 lakh people could find jobs abroad against only 10 lakh during the first four years of the previous government, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the remittance flow in the country in last four years was nearly US$ 48 billion which was four times higher than the corresponding period of the previous government.
Country's export earning rose to US$ 24.30 billion in last fiscal year while it was only US$ 14.11 billion in 2008 she said adding the foreign currency reserve now recorded highest US$ 13.11 billion from US$ 3.88 billion during the last year of BNP regime.
The Prime Minister said the country received direct foreign investment to the tune of US$ 3.82 billion which was US$ 1.87 billion during the period of previous government.
"Bangladesh is now ranked as the fifth top country in the world in long term economic growth, and the world community acclaimed our advancement terming the country as a future 'growth engine'.
Highlighting the progresses in the power sector, she said 54 new power plants were constructed with an installing capacity to generate 3,845 megawatt (MW) of electricity in four years.
Country's total power generation capacity now rose to 8525 MW and highest 6,350 MW power was supplied to the consumers in the peak hour, she said adding 26 more power plants having 5287 MW capacity are being constructed.
Giving a resume on future power development plan of her government, the Prime Minister said an agreement has been signed with Russia. The government is encouraging production of solar power and steps were taken for construction of three duel fueled coal and gas based power plants. Very soon, 500 MW electricity from India will be added to the national grid, she said.
The Prime Minister said her government has always given importance to the education. As to why, 26,200 primary schools were nationalized bringing services of around one lakh four thousand teachers under government pay-roll.
She said 27core textbooks were distributed among the students free of cost, and stipends are being given to 78 lakh students apart from mid-day meal to help particularly poor students to pursue their education. The grade of the posts of the teachers of secondary government schools was elevated to class-II from class-III, she said.
Expressing her government's firm resolve against corruption, the Prime minister said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is doing its work freely. The commission now can summon even the ministers, advisors, parliament members and top bureaucrats for interrogation.
"It was out of total imagination during the era of BNP- Jamaat alliance government," she said urging people to judge the government action against corruption.
The persons involved in the Destiny and Hallmark scams were arrested for the sake of elimination of all sorts of corruption and such drive against such irregularities and corruption would continue, Sheikh Hasina said.
She said stringent laws were framed to check money laundering and Bangladesh Security and Exchange Commission was reconstituted to rejuvenate the capital market.
Turning to the ongoing war crimes trial, the Prime Minister said the trial is now a public demand. People from all walks of life irrespective of ages and groups want the trial of the war criminals.
"But, BNP is trying frantically to save them ignoring the people's demand," she said adding whatever conspiracy might be hatched by the BNP-Jamaat alliance, the trial of the war criminals who were responsible for homicide, arson, raping mothers and sisters and looting in 1971 would be completed.
Recalling the heartbreaking memories of BDR mutiny soon after taking office by her government in 2009, the Prime Minister said, trial of 6,041 soldiers was completed on charge of mutiny while trial of 850 mutineers on charge of killing would be completed soon. The trials of the August 21 grenade attack and ten-truck arms and ammunition haul remain at the final stage, she said.
About her government's constant endeavour to establish rule of law and good governance, Sheikh Hasina said the judiciary is working with full freedom.
The Right to Information Act, the Human Rights Commission Act and Family Violence Prevention Act were enacted. As many as 41,000 helpless poor people are being provided with legal assistance, necessary laws were framed to protect women and children, she said.
A total of 196 judges were appointed at the higher and lower courts to reduce backlog of cases, she said adding country's law and order has improved significantly over the past four years along with communal harmony.
She said the gazette of the Vested Property has already been published and tribunals and district committees are working to return those properties to the real owners or their heirs
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government has launched modernization of the armed forces under 'Forces Goal 2030', which was prepared in light of the defense policy framed in 1974 at the directives of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Fourth generation tank, self propelled gun, weapon locating radar, modern helicopters and armoured vehicles were procured for the army. For the navy, she said, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters, frigates, corvette large patrol craft and hydrographic survey ships were procured along with formation of a special force.
For air force, the Prime Minister said, air missiles were inducted and a new air base was constructed in Cox's Bazar. Construction of Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre is progressing fast in Kurmitola.
Mentioning her government's steps for modernization of the police force, the Prime Minister said 33,000 new members were recruited while a helicopter was procured to expedite the activities of the law enforcing agencies.
She said the posts of sub-inspector and Town Service Inspector (TSI) were elevated to Class-II from Class-III and the post of the inspector was promoted to Class-I. New 2,235 posts were created for Ansar and VDP. Modern equipment were procured for fire service and civil defense force.
About the progress in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector over the last four years, the Prime Minister said application of the ICT has taken a new boost in all economic sectors including banking, services, education, health and agriculture.
People of all age groups are trying to adopt with the new technologies, she said. She said, internet services were expanded in every union as information service centres were introduced facilitating 40 lakh people to get e- service every month.
The speed of internet has been increased while its price has been reduced to a large extent, she said adding the number of internet users rose seven times in the last four years reaching to four crore. About ten crore SIMs are being used by the people of the country, she said.
Pointing out the victory of Bangladesh in a legal fight with neighbouring Myanmar over maritime boundary, the Prime Minister said the victory helped Bangladesh to establish its sovereignty on one lakh 11 thousand and 631 square kilometer area in the bay.
The Prime Minister said the country is now self-sufficient in food production. The country produced 3.40 lakh metric tons of food this year. The government is providing support to produce pulses, spices, oil seeds, fruits and vegetables.
She said the government is also striving for putting in place a better communication system across the country. In view of this, new roads, bridges and rail lines are being constructed. Dredging is going on to improve navigability of the rivers and port channels.
Sheikh Hasina also highlighted some projects implemented in the capital for improvement of the traffic system and beautification of the city, resolving water- logging problem and ensuring supply of pure drinking water.
BBN/SSR/AD-12Jan13-11:40 pm (BST)
