Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said it is the responsibility of the Election Commission (EC) to announce the schedule for national elections after completing voter list across the country.
He reiterated that the national elections would be held according to the roadmap as announced earlier.
“It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to announce the exact date of general election after finalising the voter list across the country,” the CA said while briefing newsmen after holding a meeting of the Council of Advisers at Khulna Circuit House conference room yesterday.
Chaired by the chief adviser, the meeting approved the draft of the Union Parishad Ordinance 2008. It also okayed different projects for the development of Khulna region.
The CA briefed the newsmen about some proposals and decisions endorsed by the council of advisers at the meeting.
He said construction of Padma Bridge will begin in 2010 and its design will be submitted next year. The project involves a cost of Tk 10,161 crore.
He said two projects for purchase of a cutter suction dredger at a cost of Tk 58.56 crore and pilot boat and pilot despatch at a cost of Tk 24.70 crore are awaiting approval of the Planning Commission.
Besides, a project has been taken up at a cost of Tk 548.43 crore to protect navigability of the Passur river channel of Mongla Port. The External Resources Division (ERD) has been asked to find out donor for implementation of this project as it is not possible for the government alone to provide huge money for that purpose, the CA said.
At the press briefing, the CA said it is not possible for the government to resolve gas and electricity crises overnight. Yet, a 40MW rental power plant in Khulna has started generating electricity. So, power supply situation will further improve in Khulna after commissioning of a 34.5 MW power plant in October this year in Bhola, he said.
He said two projects are under implementation at a cost of Tk 628.70 crore and Tk 342.18 crore with assistance from the Asian Development Bank for supply of gas in 21 districts of Southwestern region including Khulna.
He said that European Commission has committed to provide $ 10m for implementation of Sundarbans Environmental and Livelihood security project.
The CA said work on the Waste Water Treatment Plant involving Tk 5. 27 crore has been completed at Khulna Natun Bazar shrimp processing zone to keep environment there free from pollution. The plant will go into operation soon after having electricity connection, he said.
He said the government has finalised draft of National Shrimp Policy as it is one of the main sources of country’s export earnings.
He informed the press that the government is considering to reopen Khulna Newsprint Mills through lease. Besides, matters relating to payment of all dues to jute mill workers are also under consideration of the government. A textile training institute will be set up in Khulna, the CA said.
About the reopening of closed jute mills, the CA said the government wants the jute mills to be in production under private management. “Since the public-sector jute industries incur losses, some mills in Chittagong were leased and the same policy could be adopted in Khulna.”
The council meeting also approved some projects to resolve water-logging in Khuna city and at Bhabadaho in Jessore.
The CA ruled out any possibility of construction of an airport in Khulna as it would not be economically viable.
The press briefing was attended, among others, by LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Yunus Ali and Deputy Commissioner, Khulna, SM Feroze Alam.
About oath taking of the newly elected mayors of the city corporations, LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal said the elected mayors are supposed to take oath after a month of the elections, reports UNB.
He said the LGRD ministry sent a summary to the chief advisor with a request to him to administer the oath to the city mayors, and his response is awaited.
Besides, the adviser said the mayors-elect will have to submit the affidavit of their statements of wealth before taking oath of office.
In reply to a question, Iqbal said, “The government will consider applications for parole to take oath by the elected mayors now in jail.”
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