Former railway minister Suranjit Sengupta yesterday urged the government to appoint sufficient manpower under railway ministry as preventive measure of rail mishaps.
“I was a railway minister and I know that there is no manpower at 70 percent of the level crossings. Government should appoint adequate manpower for preventing those tragic accidents,” said Suranjit while addressing a rally organised by Bangabandu Academy at Diploma Engineering Institute in the capital. Suranjit stepped down from his ministerial post following an appointment-related bribe scandal in 2012,
The ruling party lawmaker further added although the Eid-ul-Fitr this year has passed very smoothly, some mishaps, like in Barobazar (Jhenaidah) have been shocking.
Referring to the suspension of the Station Master and gate-man responsible for the Barobazar incident, he said: “It is not enough to sack someone or form investigative committee as eyewash after the incident. Permanent measures have to be taken.”
On BNP’s threat to topple the government with movements, the Awami League’s advisory body member said: “An election is the only legal way to remove an elected government. Their [BNP’s] threat of an agitation is undemocratic and unconstitutional,” he added.
Urging party activists to be wary of BNP, he said: “We have to resist their so-called movement. To ensure the safety of life and property, the government would take necessary measures if they [BNP] resort to any undemocratic activities.”
Earlier in April 2012, Suranjit Sengupta stepped down from his post as the railway minister following an appointment-related bribe scandal just four months after taking charge of the ministry.
Although he was reappointed as a “minister without portfolio” by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following the incident, Suranjit failed to secure a place in the cabinet formed by the Awami League in its second term.
