Parliament fixes 50 hours for debate on president’s address

The first session of the 13th parliament will continue until Apr 30, with 50 hours set aside for discussion on the president’s address.

The decision was taken at the first meeting of the House Business Advisory Committee on Saturday, according to a parliament secretariat statement.

The committee usually fixes the duration of a session, the number of sittings, the time to be allocated for discussions and the priority of business.

The new parliament convened on Thursday, when President Md Shahabuddin delivered the customary opening speech.

Members of the Jamaat-led opposition alliance walked out during the address, calling him an “ally of fascists”.

After the first day’s proceedings, parliament was adjourned until 11am on Sunday.

Speaking after Saturday’s meeting, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said parliament would sit again on Mar 15 before going into adjournment from Mar 16.

“It will sit again on the 29th of March and continue until the 30th of April,” he said.

He also said a special committee had been formed to review 133 ordinances and that parliament would discuss the Constitution Reform Council.

According to the parliament secretariat, the House will sit at 3pm every day except on public holidays. The speaker, however, has been authorised to change sitting hours and working days if needed.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed chaired the Business Advisory Committee meeting at the cabinet room.

Those present included Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman and Leader of the Opposition Md Shafiqur Rahman.

Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal also attended as a special invitee of the speaker.

The secretariat said eight questions had been submitted for the prime minister and 460 for other ministers, taking the total to 468.

It also said parliament had received 27 notices under Rule 71 for matters of urgent public importance and 97 notices under Rule 131 for resolutions.