A number of pro-government lawmakers yesterday criticised the finance minister for not re-introducing Monthly Payment Order (MPO) in the educational institutions it had selected earlier.
They also warned the government that people’s votes could swing from the government to the opposition in the next national election if the government failed to re-introduce the MPO.
The lawmakers slammed Finance Minister AMA Muhith at a pre-budget meeting held in the finance division auditorium.
Muhith rejected their demand for the inclusion of three schools and colleges in the Monthly Payment Order, in their respective areas.
The MPO system has almost destroyed the secondary education of the country and will not be re-introduced at this time, the minister said.
He also said: “The MPO is a curse for the country’s education."
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Land, AKM Mozammel Haque, asked the finance minister to withdraw his statement on the MPO system.
Rajshahi lawmaker Kazi Abdul Wadud Dara said the government will have to make a decision on the introduction of the MPO system. “If needed we will speak with the prime minister soon.”
We will not represent our constituencies during the next election unless the government re-introduces the MPO system, he vowed.
Lawmaker of Chittagong district ABM Fazley Karim Chowdhury and former home minister Rafiqul Islam mentioned that the government could re-introduce the MPO system in phases.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Communication Major General Abdus Salam said the deadly building collapse in Savar happened due to the corrupt activities of the owner of the building, and that the government needed to take corrective measures to stop such activities.
