'Anti-graft body to be used to protect corrupt alliance men'

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina inaugurates the council of the Mohila Awami League yesterday at the IEB. Photo: STAR

"The proposed commission is to save the head of government, ministers and ruling party men from allegations of corruption. It can never function independently if it remained under the influence of the cabinet," she said while addressing the inaugural session of the council of Bangladesh Mahila Awami League, women's front of the AL, in the city yesterday.

The government on Thursday introduced a bill in the Jatiya Sangsad seeking to form an independent anti-corruption commission.

Hasina, also leader of the opposition in parliament, said the proposed commission will not be able to curb massive corruption that has pervaded all spheres of national life under the BNP-led alliance government.

She mentioned that the BNP government in its previous term had initiated legal actions the incumbent law minister.

"So, how can such a person root out corruption?" the opposition leader asked.

Hasina reiterated her party's demand that Bogra ammunition and explosives hauls be probed by an international body. "International inquiry is a must to find out origin of the ammunition and explosives and their destination," she said.

Censuring the government for making parliament 'ineffective', the AL chief said, " It has turned into a place to deliver abusive speeches against me and my party."

Turning to perks rise, Hasina said, " The prime minister, ministers and lawmakers raised theirs perks, leaving the people in general in a crisis due to price hike of essentials."

In the present budget, the government has widened the tax net on poor people, imposing additional taxes of about TK 5,100 crore, she said.

Accusing the ruling party men of repression on women, Hasina called upon the people to dislodge the ' failed government' through a mass movement.

The AL chief also said the present rulers came to power after signing a bond to sell natural resources. She however did not give details.

The former prime minister recounted various initiatives her government had taken to improve social status of women.

The council approved some amendments to the party constitution, proposed by Mahila AL leader Khaleda Khanom. The amendments provide for a 91-member central committee of Mahila AL instead of a 66member one, and divided the city unit into north and south units.