National Parliament Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday said formation of parliamentary standing committees would be given the highest priority in the third session of the 13th National Parliament, beginning Thursday, while around six important bills are likely to be placed before the house.
"The committees will be finalized as soon as the names of members are received from the opposition," he said while talking to media at the National Parliament on Wednesday.
The chief whip said the upcoming session could be a short one lasting five, seven or 10 working days, although its duration could be extended if necessary.
Talking about the parliamentary committees, the opposition's role, constitutional amendments and important bills likely to come before the house, he said the third session would focus on making parliamentary proceedings more effective and dynamic.
Among the proposed bills, he identified legislation relating to property transfer, enforced disappearance and human rights protection as important ones.
Regarding the proposed law on property transfer, Nurul Islam Moni said parents would retain the right to use and enjoy property even after transferring it to their children during their lifetime.
The initiative is aimed at preventing children from neglecting their parents after receiving property from them, he said.
On the July Charter and constitutional amendments, the chief whip said people voted on the basis of the election manifestos presented in line with the July Charter and placed their trust in the elected government.
"On the basis of that trust, Tarique Rahman became prime minister," he said, adding that new laws would be enacted and existing laws amended when necessary in the interest of the country.
He said even changing a comma, full stop or semicolon in the Constitution constitutes part of constitutional amendments.
"Every issue on which all political parties jointly signed the commitment at South Plaza under the July Charter will be implemented properly," he said.
Moni said there was a proposal to form a 17-member committee for constitutional amendments, with seven members from the BNP and five from Jamaat-e-Islami, while one member each would be taken from other smaller political parties.
The opposition members would also be included once their names are submitted, he said.
The chief whip described constitutional amendment as a normal process in a democratic system, citing India's Constitution, which he said had been amended 106 times over the past 76 years.
Regarding the role of the opposition in parliament, Moni said it was one of the opposition's key responsibilities to point out the government's shortcomings, ensure accountability and demand necessary corrections.
He expressed hope that the opposition would raise people's problems and major national issues in parliament instead of creating instability outside the House, and seek solutions through discussion and debate.
"We hope they will not create an opportunity to bring back an authoritarian system by launching movements outside parliament. I do not believe that the achievements gained through 17 years of imprisonment, enforced disappearances and torture will be handed over to anyone else," he said.
He urged the opposition to attend parliament, speak for the people, identify the government's shortcomings and find solutions through the democratic process.
The chief whip said the third session would help accelerate parliamentary activities, particularly in enacting important legislation, strengthening the effectiveness of parliamentary committees and ensuring government accountability.
On the country's ongoing challenges, Moni said no government could solve all long-standing problems within only six months and called for patience from the people.
"You are six months into your government. Even if I wanted to and tried my best, could I build a power plant within six months? Even if everything remains favorable, it takes a minimum of two years to build a power plant," he said.
He said time was needed to resolve major infrastructure problems, including those in the power sector, and called upon all to cooperate in the national interest.
He warned that instability would not harm any particular individual or political party alone, but could ultimately affect the country's independence and sovereignty.
Regarding power-sector agreements, the chief whip alleged that contracts signed during the previous government had created long-term economic liabilities for the country.
He said laws had been enacted with provisions granting immunity, limiting opportunities to question various power-sector agreements.
The payment of capacity charges despite not producing electricity had placed significant pressure on public finances, he alleged.
He called for collective cooperation to free the country from the economic burden created by such agreements in the national interest.