Speech of Prime Minister

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Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Dear Countrymen,

Assalamu Alaikum

I am extending New Year greetings to you all.

Today is the 5th January. You have given mandate consecutively for the second term to Awami League, a party of people of the country and the organization of the greatest Bangalee of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, through a free, fair and neutral election on this day last year.

On this day, I am expressing my greetings and sincere congratulations to all democracy-loving people of Bangladesh. I am remembering the greatest Bangalee of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with due respect.

I am also remembering four national leaders -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamruzzaman -- who were killed inside jail on November 3 (in 1975).

I am also remembering all martyred freedom fighters, wounded freedom fighters, families who lost their near and dear ones, with due respect and extending my sympathy to the mothers and sisters who were tortured in 1971.

I am recalling with profound pain the victims of August 15, 1975 massacre -- my mother Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, my three brothers Captain Sheikh Kamal, Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal and ten-year-old Sheikh Russell, newly married wives of Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal -- Sultana and Rosy, the only brother of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Naser, and all martyrs of the night including Colonel Jamil.

I am remembering Awami League leader Ivy Rahman and 22 other leaders and workers, who were killed in grenade attacks on August 21, 2004.

I am remembering 21,000 leaders and activists including former finance minister SAMS Kibria, Awami League leader Ahsanullah Master, Manzurul Imam and Momtajuddin who were killed during the BNP-Jamaat Jote (alliance) regime. I express my deep respects to the deceased members of parliament (MPs) of the 10th Jatiya Sangsad.

Innocent bus drivers, bus-tempo-CNG passengers, presiding officers, police-BGB-Ansar, army personnel, schoolchildren and many others were killed being the victims of terror, arson and bomb attacks of BNP-Jamaat Jote. Many have been passing very miserable life with injuries.

I am remembering with deep respects those who lost their lives falling victims to the brutalities and atrocities of Jamaat-BNP Alliance. I am conveying my profound sympathy to the members of their families and extending my compassion to the wounded persons.

Dear countrymen, the BNP-Jamaat Jote had established a reign of terror across the country to foil the 5th January election and protect the war criminals. They set ablaze hundreds of vehicles, damaged thousands of cars, cut down hundreds of tress beside the highways and roads in rural areas and killed 20 law enforcers, including police, BGB, Ansar and army.

Hundreds of innocent people were killed in terror and arson attacks and petrol bombs thrown by them (BNP-Jamaat elements).

Government offices, power plants, business establishments, roadside shops and even innocent animals were not spared from their brutality. Mosques, temples and pagodas were not spared. Hundreds of copies of the Holy Quran were torched in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

They have destroyed hundreds of carriages and rail engines by uprooting rail lines and removing fishplates.

They launched arson attacks on 582 schools on the election day. Killed 26 people, including presiding officers. Unleashed attacks on the minority communities and the Awami League supporters on that day.

You went to polling centres by ignoring the terrorism, bomb and arson attacks, cast your votes and kept the democratic process ongoing.

We have tried to sit for a dialogue before election. We wanted to give all sorts of concession under the constitution to hold election. We were prepared to form an all-party cabinet for election period.

There is no scope for an unelected government in the constitution of Bangladesh. We have only one demand to hold election as per constitution. We were prepared to give all possible concessions to this end.

The BNP-Jamaat alliance wanted to create an anarchic and wild situation. They wanted to go to the power through backdoor by creating anarchy.

But the people of the country did not pay heed to the conspiracy.

Dear Countrymen,

I am grateful to you.

Because of your cooperation, we are able to complete the development works that we started. Besides, we have got the scope to take the country forward
by undertaking new development programmes.

I am requesting you to prevent in unison any sort of anarchy and militant activities to uphold the democracy.

We ruled the country for five years after forming government in 2009 after winning the 2008 election. We formed the government in such a situation when the economic meltdown and acute shortage of foods established supremacy over the globe.

The economic conditions of the country suffered a great setback and there was indiscipline due to misrule, corruption and militant activities by BNP- Jamaat during the period 2001-2006 and for the repression of the two-year caretaker government.

We brought discipline in all sectors of the society after taking charge in such a situation. We infused trust and confidence among people and involved people to build the country with a fresh vow.

We took the 6th five-year plan and started its implementation. We took a long-term plan and started is implementation.

Today, the people of the country are well. The country is advancing.

The year 2014 is the year of pride in the history of the Bangalees for ensuring overall development, continuation of democracy and infusing the nation with the spirit of Liberation War.

The last year was for success of Bangladesh in local and international arenas.

Bangladesh became a role model for the globe due to successful implementation of the development programmes taken by us in the five years of last tenure and the immense progress in socioeconomic sector in the first year of this tenure.

Currently, Bangladesh is one of the five countries which advanced for economical development.

We have achieved on an average 6.2 percent growth.

The volume of budget was Taka 61 thousand and 57 crore in fiscal year 2005- 2006. The volume of the budget is Tk 2 lakh 50 thousand and 506 crore in this current fiscal year 2014-2015.

The per capita income was 543 US dollars in the last year during the BNP- Jamaat alliance government and it increased to 1,190 US dollars now. Five crore people became the members of mid-income slab from low-income slab. The rate of poverty was 41.5 percent in the last year of BNP-Jamaat alliance. We have reduced it to 24 percent.

The rate of hardcore poor was 24.2 percent in 2006. It has now declined to 11 percent.

The income of people has increased. Employment has increased. We arranged employment of one crore people both in government and private sectors.
Twenty-five lakh people have been employed abroad.

Remittance income was 4.80 billion dollars in 2006. It increased by three- fold and stood at 14.23 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2013-2014.

The reserves of foreign currency were 3.48 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2005-2006. It stands at 22.39 billion dollars increasing by six times.

The foreign investment was 0.79 billion dollars in 2006 which was increased to 6.83 billion dollars in 2014.

Income from export was 10.53 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2005-2006, which was increased by three times as it stands at 30.19 billion dollars in 2013-2014.

The production of electricity was 4,500 MW (megawatt) in 2001. It shrank to 3,200 megawatts during the BNP-Jamaat alliance government.

Now our electricity production capacity is 13,283 MW.

The daily gas production in 2006 was 1600 million cft. The gas production in September 2014 was enhanced to 2,450 million cft on an average.

In the communication sector, we have made massive development. Hatirjheel Project, Kuril-Biswa Road Multipurpose Flyover, Mirpur-Biman Bandar Zillur Rahman Flyover, Banani Overpass and Mayor Hanif Flyover in Dhaka, Ahsanullah Master Flyover in Tongi and Bahaddarhat Flyover in Chittagong have been inaugurated.

The construction work of Moghbazar-Malibagh Flyover is underway, while the work on the elevated expressway and metro rail in Dhaka would begin soon. We have started the work of the Padma Bridge with our own financing.

Fourteen large bridges, 4,507 medium and small bridges, 13,751 culverts and 21,000 kilometer new roads have been constructed.

Nabinagar-DEPZ-Chandra Road has been elevated to four lanes. The work on elevating Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and Joydevpur-Mymensingh Highway to four- lane has been going on fast.

Conscious countrymen,

Bangladesh was a food deficit country during the rule of BNP-Jamaat Alliance. The country achieved food autarky again during the period of the Awami League government.

The foodgrain production in 2005-06 was 2,78 crore metric tons. In 2013-14 fiscal year, 3,83,43,000 metric tons foodgrain were produced.

Since January 2009 till today, agri assistance worth about Taka 40,278 crore against fertilizers, irrigation, electricity and fuel has so far been given.

The fish production has been enhanced to 35 lakh MT. Bangladesh is now the fourth largest country in the world in sweet fish production. We have started exporting rice.

Dear countrymen,

After coming to power in 2001, the BNP-Jamaat Alliance brought down the rate of education rate to 44 percent from 65 percent. The rate of education in the country is now 69 percent.

The Awami League government distributed 159 crore textbooks among the secondary-level students in the last six years free of cost. On January 1 this year, 32,63,47,923 textbooks were distributed among the students. From 2015, the visually-impaired children are also getting books on Braille system.

Scholarship and stipends are being provided to 1,21,78,129 students from class one to degree level. Twenty-six thousand one hundred ninety-three primary schools and the jobs of 1.20 lakh teachers have been nationalized.

The status of the assistant teachers at secondary level has been elevated to class two from class three. The status of headmasters of the government primary schools has been elevated to class two from class three.

As many as 3,172 computer labs have been set up in the educational institutions across the country, while multimedia classrooms have been established in 20,500 secondary-level educational institutions. Multimedia
classrooms would be introduced in all schools gradually.

Laptop, multimedia, sound system and internet modem have been distributed to 1,497 schools. Such tools would be provided to 3,930 more schools.

The healthcare services are now at the doorsteps of the people. Sixteen thousand 438 community clinics and union health centres are now giving medicare to the rural people. Thirty types of medicines are being provided free of cost. Over 12,500 physicians were appointed in the last six years.

The average life expectancy in 2006 was 66.5 years which has now been increased to 70 years. Almost all of the children have been brought under the
immunization programme, while all the people have been brought under safe drinking water and sanitation programmes.

Dear countrymen,

"Digital Bangladesh" is now a reality, not a dream thanks to our relentless efforts.

Two hundred digital services are being provided through the setting up of 5,275 digital centres. The monthly income of an entrepreneur in the sector is Taka 20,000 to one lakh.

The number of mobile phone subscribers in the country is now 11.97 crore, while the number of internet subscribers is 4.30 crore. The government has
introduced the largest web portal of the world with 25,000 websites.

ICT sector earns 125 million dollar from overseas.

Respected countrymen,

Our government announced National Women Development Policy aiming to ensure empowerment of women. Violence Prevention Law towards women has been formulated.

Maternal leave with salary has been extended to six months from four months.

Women have been appointed as vice-chancellors in the public universities.

Gender sensitive budget is being prepared in 40 ministries for ensuring women participation in public functions.

Bangladesh now ranks seventh among the top ten countries in the field of political empowerment of women.

We have turned Jatiya Sangsad into a centre of all activities. Regular meetings of parliamentary committees are being held. They are monitoring works of the ministries.

We have set up Sangsad Television for bringing transparency to the parliament. Parliamentary functions are aired live.

Retirement age for public servant has been extended to 59 years and 60 years for freedom fighter public servants.

Salary of officers and employees for both military and civil will be increased for the second time. We have created opportunities for promotion by upgrading ranks in an extensive way.

Armed forces goal-2030 has been formulated in the light of the Defense Policy formulated in 1974 by Father of the Nation. Armed forces have been equipped with most modern war machines.

Sub-inspector post of police has been upgraded to second class from third class and inspector post has been upgraded to first class from second class.

Risk allowances of Police, RAB, Ansar, BGB and armed forces have been increased.

Labour Law and Labour Policy have been formulated. Minimum Salary for workers has been fixed at Taka 4,175. Minimum salary for garment workers has been increased and fixed at Taka 5,300.

BNP-Jamaat alliance government shut down jute mills. A total of 23 out of BJMC's closed jute mills has been reopened. Three more will be reopened.

As many as 27,22,500 widows, divorcees women and elderly people are getting allowance of Taka 400 per month. Four lakh physically challenged people are getting allowance of Taka 500 per month.

Marginalized people are getting benefit from 128 safety net programmes including Ashrayan, Ektee Barai, Ektee Khamar, Ghore Phera Programmes and destitute allowances.

A total of 55,000 acres of land has been distributed among the 1.20 Lakh landless families. Over one lakh families have been rehabilated through Ashrayan project.

Damaged places of worship, houses and shops for minority families who fell victims to the destruction of BNP-Jmaat-Shibir in Jessore, Satkhira, Rangpur,
Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts before January 5 general elections have been reconstructed through BGB.

Various programmes have been taken for marginalized people like hijra, dalit, bede and horijan community for improving their living standard and ensuring social security. The government has recognized hijra people as third gender.

Dear Countrymen,

After assuming power, we have strengthened Anti-Corruption Commission. As a result, corruption has been reduced significantly.

Bangladesh was a country of robbing freedom of speech and repression of journalist during the BNP-Jamaat rule.

A total of 16 journalists were killed. Nearly 500 cases were filed and 750 incidents of threats and attacks happened against journalists during the five years. Many journalists were arrested and tortured taking them into remands.

Media in Bangladesh is now enjoying full freedom.

Till now, Awami League government approved licenses of 32 televisions, 22 FM radios, 32 community radios. Rights to Information Act has been formulated and Information Commission has been established.

A total of Taka 1.10 crore under 'Journalist, Assistance Allowance or Grant, 2012' has been distributed. Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust has been established.

Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shrin Sharmin Chaudhury has been elected as chairperson of executive committee of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Parliament Member Saber Hossain Chowdhury has been elected as President of Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Bangladesh has made new history in the democratic world as the chiefs of two topmost democratic institutions of the globe were elected from here. The relation with democratic loving countries of the world has become very strong and thoroughly consolidated.

Last year, Bangladesh achieved its landslide victory in the elections to 12 international organizations including IMSO, ITU and Human Rights Council.

UNESCO honored me with the 'Peace Tree' award.

South-South Co-Operation Office and Organization of American States of the United Nations Organization (UNO) conferred me the Visionary Award -2104.

We achieved MDG four from one.

Bangladesh got MDG Award and South-South Award of the United Nations and 'World Summit on Information Society' of ITU.

After achieving a large portion of maritime boundary, it has become easier to collect sea resources that would contribute significantly to the economy
of the country.

With the existing foreign policy "Friendship to All, Malice to None" , the relation has tremendously developed with neighboring countries at present. Bangladesh got honorable place in the international arena.

Peace-loving Countrymen,

When the development works of the roads and highways are going on with the help of all concerned, a quarter is trying again to create instability and unrest in the country.

The trial of war criminals, mass-killers, Razakars and Al-Badar is in progress. The verdict is being executed. Insha-Allah we will complete the trial of war criminals.

The evil forces of darkness, who want to foil the trial and save the war criminals, don't believe in the existence of Bangladesh and don't want welfare of people and are trying to hatch conspiracies.

It was BNP's wrong political decision not to take part in the polls. Why will the common people have to pay for that?

I call upon BNP chairperson to stop the destructive acts, killing of people, grenade and bomb attacks, torching and damaging lives and properties of people.

"Due to your wrong political decision, you and your party are not in parliament. Who is to be blamed for that? You have to hold yourself responsible for it.

Come to the path of peace after shunning destructive acts. Inform the mass people what you want to do for the socio-economic progress of the countrymen.
Then there will be a future in the days ahead for you.

The path, which you have chosen, won't bring welfare to the people. Rather you would lose people's faith and confidence.

People want security, peace and progress.

We want to come out of vicious circle of evil politics. We want to establish the politics of welfare in the country.

Dear Countrymen,

In the 2008 election manifesto, I announced to develop Bangladesh as a middle-income country by 2021. Insha-Allah it would be possible before the stipulated time.

In 2014, we declared in our election manifesto that Bangladesh would be a developed country by 2041. Insha-Allah we will be able to fulfill the target.
I seek your cooperation.

Our dear homeland Bangladesh will be built as a poverty-free developed country. People of Bangladesh will be properly honored in the world . We will build a Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation, Insha-Allah.

Thanks you all again. Khoda Hafez. Joy Bangla. Joy Bangabandhu. May Bangladesh last long.