BNP to prioritise law and order: Tarique
Staff Reporter :
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has said that ensuring law and order and controlling corruption should be the top priorities in running the state.
According to him, if effective action can be taken in these two areas, many of the country’s other problems will gradually move toward resolution.
He made these remarks on Saturday during an interactive session with the winners of the national reel-making competition titled “Bangladesh in My Vision” at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan, Dhaka. His daughter, Zaima Rahman, was also present at the event.
Tarique Rahman said that the first priority must be to ensure law and order. “People should feel safe on the streets—you, me, everyone. This is one of the fundamental responsibilities of the state,” he said.
Describing corruption as a major obstacle to the country’s progress, he said corruption exists in many forms and at many levels.
“One way or another, we have to address it. If law and order and corruption are dealt with properly, many of the remaining problems will naturally decrease. That is my plan,” he added.
During the discussion, questions were raised about social safety net programs and the proposed “Family Card,” particularly whether widowed women and single mothers would be included.
In response, the BNP chairperson said the current social security framework is ineffective.
He said the Bangladesh government is currently running 138 social safety programs, but they are not functioning properly.
“In some places, one person is receiving three benefits, while elsewhere someone is not receiving even one. This results in a waste of resources,” he said.
As a solution, Tarique Rahman proposed making the Family Card system more organized and universal.
“We want to make the Family Card universal, so that people from all segments of society come under its coverage,” he said.
Giving examples, he said the wife of a farmer would receive a Family Card, as would the wife of a van puller and the wife of an office employee.
“Everyone should come under a single, organized framework—that is the goal,” he added.
Speaking about urban traffic management, the BNP chairperson said traffic congestion is increasing because road design, public transport systems, and employment opportunities are all centered in Dhaka.
He said satellite towns would be developed outside Dhaka, with education and healthcare facilities available there. Planning on this is already underway.
He said flyovers have been built and metro rail is now visible. “Metro rail is costly and takes up a lot of space.
In this case, monorail is more suitable. It has smaller carriages and can be connected to all parts of Dhaka along with the metro,” he said.
Referring to expatriate workers, Tarique Rahman said young people are going abroad without skills.
Plans have been taken to develop their skills. He also said incentives could be offered to expatriates if they send remittances through proper channels.
To incorporate public ideas and proposals into the process of state-building for future Bangladesh, the BNP organized the national reel-making competition titled “Bangladesh in My Vision.”
The competition invited one-minute reels on 11 topics, including the Family Card and Farmer Card. Around 2,500 participants from across the country took part.
Based on public voting (30 percent marks) and evaluation by a jury board (70 percent marks), 10 winners were selected.
These 10 winners got the opportunity to meet and interact with Tarique Rahman and Barrister Zaima Rahman.