Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked all concerned not to construct anything that might affect the original design of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area, as it is the icon of the country, Reports UNB.
She gave the directive while speaking at the 24th Meeting of the Secretarial Commission of Parliament held at the parliament building.
“Before constructing anything in the Parliament area, the authorities concerned should consult the experts so that its original design is not affected,” Hasina told the meeting.
The Prime Minister also asked for concentrating more on maintaining the structures in the Parliament area and taking necessary steps in this regard.
She mentioned that this complex is the ‘icon’ of the country and Parliament is the heart of democracy.
Designed by world famous American architect Louis Isadore Kahn, the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban is one of the largest legislative complexes in the world.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the broadcasting of Sangsad TV that aired the activities of the Parliament session, and said it presented the activities of Parliament before people across the country.
Chaired by Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the meeting was attended, among others, by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, whip ASM Firoz, Sagufta Yasmin and secretary of the Parliament Secretariat M Mahfuzur Rahman.
State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam attended the meeting as the Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed is now abroad.
APS to the Prime Minister Asif Kabir briefed reporters after the meeting.
He said the meeting discussed the budget of the Parliament Secretariat for the next fiscal (2013-2014).
The estimated budget for the Parliament Secretariat was fixed at Tk 1954.2m, which is Tk 161.3m or 9% higher than the previous year.
The revised budget for the secretariat of the running fiscal (2012-13) was Tk 1792.9m.
The meeting also discussed the amendment to the rules of appointment 1994, increase in manpower for the Parliament Secretariat and enhancement of various allowances.