Govt forms committee to review quota system: PM

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the ongoing anti-narcotic drive will continue to build Bangladesh as a drug-free country.

"Drugs destroy a country, a nation and a family. We'll continue the drive, no matter who says what," she told parliament participating in general discussions on the national budget for the 2018-19 fiscal.

The prime minister said her government is carrying out successful drives against terrorism, militancy and drugs as it wants to build a drug-free country.

"Why will our children be drug addicts? They'll pursue education and become worthy citizens. We'll do whatever is needed to ensure it. This (drive) will continue," she said.

Talking about the reforms of the quota system in public service, the prime minister said a committee has been formed with the cabinet secretary as its head to review the matter.
"The system has been there for a long time. I've already said there'll be no quota system. This can't be reformed overnight. The committee has been constituted to find a way to scrap the existing system," she said.

Earlier, leader of the opposition at parliament Raushan Ershad said the freedom fighter quota has to be kept intact.

In this regard, the prime minister said it was the freedom fighters who liberated the country. "We got the country for their contributions."

She mentioned that students are pursuing their education at a nominal cost in the country compared to other countries of the world.

Responding to a query from the opposition leader, Hasina said no caretaker government took the initiative to construct the Padma bridge. "In 2001, I had laid the foundation stone of the bridge, but the BNP-led government stopped its work," she said.

Regarding the increase in the cost of the much-hyped project, Hasina said, "If you want quality work, you have to pay more."

The prime minister also described elaborately the steps taken by the government for flourishing the capital market.
"The government is doing whatever is needed for the development of the capital market. Following our steps, the stock market is now in a good shape," she said.