The 10th session of the ninth Jatiya Sangsad began on Thursday in absence of the Bangladesh Natinalist Party-led opposition alliance.
Speaker Abdul Hamid, who chaired the session, in his inaugural speech urged all lawmakers to attend the session to fulfill the expectations of the people of their respective constituencies and make parliament effective.
Terming important the role of opposition in parliamentary democracy, he also urged the opposition parties to return to the house to point out mistakes, if any, of the ruling party and help it correct them.
'Parliamentary debate is very important for development of democracy into an institution,' said Hamid, adding that the lawmakers should participate in the debate without hurting anyone.
He also expressed profound shock at the deaths in a series of traffic accidents over the past few weeks, including the tragic road accident at Mirersarai in Chittagong in which 44 schoolboys were killed.
Earlier, the business advisory committee at a meeting decided that the session would continue through all working days from 2:00pm to 5:00 pm till August 25.
The speaker started the day's business at 11:00am by announcing the names of Emran Ahmed, Dhirendra Chandra Debnath Shambhu, Mujibur Rahman Sarwar and Nur-e- Hasna Lily Chowdhury as panel chairmen who would conduct the session in absence of the speaker and deputy speaker.
The house later unanimously adopted a condolence motion at the death of 11 eminent personalities who expired between the ninth and tenth sessions of parliament.
The notable persons are former lawmakers Abu Naser Chowdhury, Abul Kalam, Habibur Rahman Hobi, Azizur Rahman Chowdhury and Emdadul Haque, artists Mohammad Kibria and Aminul Islam, singer Azam Khan, film director Tareque Masud, media personality Ashfaq Munir Mishuk and Dhaka University teacher Mridul Kanti Chakrabarty.
The chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on primary and mass education ministry, Mamtaj Begum placed the first report, including the activities of the committee from June 17, 2009 to May 4, 2011.
The session was adjourned till 2:00pm on Tuesday.
Source : Nge Age
