DHAKA, June 10, 2020 (BSS) – Turning down the BNP’s allegation on the lockdown issue, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said they (BNP) want prolonged lockdown as they don’t think of the wellbeing of crores of toiling masses.
“BNP wants the working class people to remain in trouble . . . They don’t think about the crores of toiling masses. For that reason, they (BNP) can easily talk about imposition of prolonged shutdown in every sector,” he told reporters at his office at the Secretariat here.
Replying to a query about BNP’s allegation that it was a mistake to withdraw lockdown, the information minister urged the BNP leaders to look into the other countries’ activities across the world.
Hasan said many countries have started economic activities as no country can afford lockdown for long. Many developed states like European countries have started their economical activities, he added.
He said the many European countries like Italy, Spain, Britain, Belgium and the USA have withdrawn or relaxed lockdown to run the wheels of economy even though the affected people are dying there till now.
It is not possible to continue the lockdown for long, he said adding even the neighbouring countries- India and Pakistan- have resumed their activities and communication.
He said, “In our country, different surveys showed that about three and a half crore people have become unemployed due to Corona and the government provides financial and food assistance to them.”
“And now, BNP wants the toiling masses to remain in trouble. For this, they are talking about long time lockdown. They don’t think about the working class people and no responsible political parties can talk like this,” said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
The information minister said there is no country in world which has been free from coronavirus. This is a global catastrophe.”
He said, “We also should activate the wheels of economy. And we should have to work by maintaining health codes and social distancing.”
Criticising BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s pleading for announcing budget for three years, Hasan said budget is given for one year and every country in the world does the same. It is really astonishing that he (Mirza Fakhrul) wanted budget for three years, he said, adding that Fakhrul could have suggested for three years planning.
About tomorrow’s budget for the next fiscal year, Hasan said the government has formulated the budget considering all possible aspects of world economy due to Coronavirus situation.
He said the allocation in the health sector has been increased. Besides, the government has taken two projects involving Taka about 2500 crore, he added.
“About seven crore people of the country have already been brought under the government’s assistance programme in various ways. Such a big task never happened in the history of Bangladesh,” Hasan added.