FROM UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that had there been corruption there would have no development.

“All organs of the government are working in cohesion for the development of the country,” she said.

The Prime Minister while addressing a press conference like previous years at New York asserted this contention attending the General Assembly session of UN.

The Prime Minister presented to the journalists in the press conference organized at Bangladesh Mission about the subjects she talked in different forums and bilateral meetings during the current General Assembly sessions.

At the end of the press conference, Sheikh Hasina gave answers to the various queries of the press men. She strongly criticized the government of BNP-Jamaat that ruled from 2001.

Regarding the dialogue with BNP, she ruled out such possibilities as this party is no longer an opposition party so question does not arise to sit for a dialogue.

She pointed out that if anybody makes blunder in politics they are to pay for it. The PM indicated at BNP’s political mistake who did not participate in the last poll.

On corruption issue, the PM answered that had there been corruption in the country then there was no progress. I threw a challenge beforehand that there was no corruption in Padma Bridge project. Now it has been proved that there was no corruption.

The PM said that we have attained the capacity of producing 11,735 megawatt of electricity during last five years, if there was corruption this could not have been possible.

Sheikh Hasina categorically said that we have come to run the government not to do business. The country is making progress as we have extended supports to the business people.

When asked her on the subjects of discussion with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday she replied that it will be exchange of good will.

However she pointed out that opportunities of resolving of border problems have been created during her tenure. We have got back 45 acres of land in Feni from India.

Regarding Teesta water sharing, she said that no one can hold the water of Teesta, it must be given to us.

In another reply of a question she rejected the idea of mid-term election. She said that people are now happy, next election will be held in due time. 

Regarding the banning of politics of Jamaat-e-Islami, she said that it was Ziaur Rahman who was responsible for rehabilitating the party.

In her main deliberation, earlier, she said that now Bangladesh has become role model of many countries of the world. She got appreciation everywhere she took part in various forums. Every one has mentioned about the progress of Bangladesh.

She mentioned that the dream of Sonar Bangla of the Father of the Nation has been recognized by the world leaders. Turning to expatriate journalists she said that definitely you will like it.

The PM informed that in 1974 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in his maiden speech delivered in Bengali in General Assembly of UN, declared that we want friendship with all, enmity with none. With the same object, Bangladesh has participated this year in UN session.
In the hour-long press conference, the PM presented various bright pictures of national development, the country has attained during her rule. The production of electricity has increased and the country is going ahead.

In her speech, the PM mentioned about the achievements the country has made during last five years which included the retention of growth at 6 percent, making 5 crore people middle income group from low income group, producing 3.68 crore granular food, reducing poverty level to 25 percent, increasing the purchasing power of the people and improvement of law and order.

She further mentioned that her government has attached top priority to education as education will bring down poverty level. Government is working in that direction. She also mentioned her steps in improving this sector that included distribution free books, free education and job oriented education.

She reiterated her commitments to raise the percentage of pass in public examination to 98 percent. She told that her government has made arrangements of free education of female students up to degree level. Program of school meal has been introduced to nourish meritorious students, she told the journalists.

The PM informed after winning sea, her government is now trying to explore the potentialities of the sea- Bay of Bengal. The government is now contemplating to throw satellite in the orbit so that the country can go ahead further in information technology.
The PM concluded that it was the prime object of her government to ensure every people a happy life which is meaningful.

BDST: 0926 HRS, SEP 27, 2014/ updated 1126hrs