Price cut first task: Hasina

The Awami League president and Prime Minister-in waiting, Sheikh Hasina has said the first task of her government will be to bring prices of essentials down within the purchasing power of the commoners and eradicate poverty, branded as the country”s worst enemy, reports UNB.
"Our real victory will come if we could also ensure rule of law, human rights and good governance and build digital Bangladesh imbibed with the spirit of the liberation war," she told a media conference, the first after her resounding victory in Monday”s parliament elections.
Hasina appealed to all including the opposition in the new parliament to work together for the betterment of the country by shunning past politics of vengeance and conflict.
She offered the post of Deputy Speaker and some chairmanship of the parliamentary standing committees from the opposition.
Hasina also sought cooperation from former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in running the country and making the parliament effective, saying "she has experience as the Prime Minister and definitely we will seek her cooperation."
"In parliamentary democracy, the opposition is a partner of the government… we will welcome their constructive criticism and good suggestions and will protect their dignity," she said.
Hasina urged her party MPs-elect to forgive and forget the bitter past when they were tortured and repressed by their political opponents and to prepare their mindset to serve the country.
"Don”t indulge in the joy of victory. Be restrained and prepare for serving the country," she said, adding "we”re given a huge responsibility by the people and now we will have to fulfill their expectations."
Hasina said: "We don”t believe in politics of revenge, conflict and clashes. We want to present the nation a new trend of politics."
Asked if she has planned a first 100-day program as seen in the case of new US President, the Prime Minister-in waiting said she does not want to limit her programme and instead concentrate on what she could do within the five years of the mandated period.
Asked about Khaleda Zia”s rejection of the election results, Hasina said she should accept the people”s verdict because election was free, fair and transparent.
Asked if she would send bouquet and say thank you to Khaleda, Hasina said she is in a dilemma about what she should do. "If I send flower, would she take it as teasing. I thought several times to pick up my phone to call her, but I restrained myself thinking of how she would take it."
About poverty alleviation, she said educating people is the main weapon to eradicate poverty and for that education up to Degree level will be made free for all.
Besides, the Awami League chief said she has some social and micro-credit programmes. She will provide subsidy to agriculture sector to boost production, agro-based industries and food processing units.
Asked about the energy issue, Hasina said while in power from 1996-2001 her government increased the electricity production from 1600MW to 4000 MW. This time, she would use various options to increase the production of electricity.
Asked about trial of the war criminals, the Awami League president said smilingly that they have already been tried through the election and legally, of course, initiative will be taken to try them.
Earlier, Hasina congratulated all classes of people including the young voters, women and middle and lower income groups for massively voting her party and for a change. "This is a victory of the entire nation and democracy," she said.
Seeking cooperation from all to discharge her big responsibility, Hasina said she would make all efforts to uphold the prestige of the electoral mandate. "This verdict is for good governance against misrule, for peace against terrorism and for non-communal democracy against communalism."
Hasina thanked the caretaker government for creating an atmosphere for fair election, the Election Commission for holding free, fair and acceptable polls and the armed forces for assisting the Election Commission in preparing a flawless voter list with photographs.
The Prime Minister-in-waiting also thanked the law enforcers to ensure a peaceful election.
She thanked the international community for helping the caretaker government in holding the election in a peaceful environment and transition to democracy.