Previous ‘mafia govt’ looted national wealth

State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul has accused the previous government of looting the country’s resources and creating an economic crisis, saying the burden of that situation has now fallen on the current administration.

She made the remarks on Friday while speaking as the chief guest at a cheque distribution programme under the Ministry of Social Welfare in Singra, Natore.

Putul said the government is working to rebuild the country and reduce dependence on others.
“We do not want the country to remain dependent on others. The BNP government is working to rebuild Bangladesh,” she said.

The state minister added that the government aims to build a Bangladesh free from drugs, terrorism, corruption and discrimination.

She said the government led by Tarique Rahman is committed to fulfilling the promises made before the election and that various social welfare initiatives are already being implemented gradually.

However, Putul claimed that alleged corruption in major projects undertaken by the previous government has made implementation of development programmes more difficult.

She said the current government is having to address what she described as the consequences of years of mismanagement and corruption while trying to restore the country’s economy and institutions.

The programme was chaired by Singra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Al Rifat.

Among those who spoke at the event were Natore-3 lawmaker Anwarul Islam Anu, district BNP Member Secretary Asaduzzaman Asad, Joint Convener Babul Chowdhury, Singra Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam and Upazila BNP Member Secretary Sharful Islam Bulbul.