Muhith misses Speaker's calls

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury had to repeatedly call Finance Minister AMA Muhith before catching his attention in Parliament on Wednesday.

She had to make him return to his seat in the treasury benches. Muhith was engrossed in a chat with Magura-2 MP Biren Sikder during the session.

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This was seen once Rangamati MP Ushatan Talukder finished his speech after the recession for Maghrib prayers.

At the end of Talukder's speech, the Speaker tried to get Muhith's attention as he was supposed to present the annual report of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) as per the Orders of the Day.

Chaudhury said, "Honourable Finance Minister, you are supposed to present a report."

She repeated the question and called the minister several times.

The Finance Minister's seat in the treasury bench is the fourth one, but he was not at his seat.

As the Speaker failed to draw Muhith's attention, a Parliament staff made the minister aware of her calls.

Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharrf Hossain tried to draw Muhith's attention through gestures.

Then Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury told Muhith, "Honourable Finance Minister, could you please come to your seat? Sit on your seat?"

Then the minister returned to his seat and presented the BSEC's annual report.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was not in Parliament at that time.

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Awami League Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and the Public Works Minister were at the treasury bench at the time.