17-Member Parliamentary Body Planned for Constitutional Amendment

Bangla Press Desk:   Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Wednesday sought five names from the opposition bench in the Jatiya Sangsad to form a 17-member parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendment.

In response, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman said they have a conceptual difference over the formation of the committee, but they would inform their decision following internal discussions.

Taking the floor in the House, the law minister said they want to form a parliamentary special committee related to the constitutional amendment.

“The committee will be formed under Rule 266 (of the Rules of Procedure). We have finalised a list of 12 names.” 

Among the 12 proposed members, he said seven MPs from BNP are in the list, and five others from Gana Odhikar Parishad, Ganasomhati Andolan, Bangladesh Jatiya Party, and independent lawmakers.

Mentioning that the opposition holds around 26% representation in parliament, he said, considering that proportion, the government expects five names from the opposition for the special committee.

The minister said the government wants to constitute the committee quickly so that it can proceed with constitutional amendment initiatives, keeping the July National Charter in focus.

“If you give the five names soon, we will be able to place the proposal for the committee tomorrow,” he said.

Responding to the proposal, Shafiqur said the opposition has a conceptual difference over the formation of the committee, but would convey its decision after internal discussions.

Later, the law minister said they do not have any problem waiting. 

“If needed, we are ready to wait until the next (parliamentary) session to move forward with constitutional amendments in light of the July Charter,” he said. Source: daily Sun

BP/TD