Speaker irked by absence of ministers in parliament to answer MPs' questions

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad today (23 June) said no state business is more important than a sitting of parliament, stressing that parliamentary proceedings take precedence over all other state activities.

The speaker made the remarks in response to concerns raised by Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman under a point of order regarding the absence of ministers during parliamentary discussions.

"Nothing is more important than a parliamentary sitting among all state functions. Parliamentary proceedings receive the highest priority," he said.

He noted that MPs discuss the activities of various ministries during the budget session and said the relevant ministers should remain present to hear those observations and, where possible, take remedial action.

Addressing the Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, the speaker said: "Please ask the honourable ministers to attend parliament on time. They should at least listen to the remarks made by MPs concerning their ministries and, if possible, try to address the issues raised."

Opposition leader questions ministers' absence

Raising the issue, Shafiqur Rahman said the speaker had repeatedly called for a vibrant parliament since the beginning of the session. However, he noted that ministers or representatives of the ministries under discussion were often absent from the chamber.

"The people who most need to hear MPs' observations directly, particularly members of the Cabinet, are often not present. On many occasions, when we discuss a ministry, no representative of that ministry is in the chamber," he said, questioning whether such absences were consistent with the dignity of parliament.

In response, the speaker said the matter had also been discussed the previous day, when the government Chief Whip noted that ministers were often occupied with other responsibilities. Nevertheless, he reiterated the importance of parliamentary proceedings and urged ministers to attend regularly.

It may be noted that Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman is currently on a state visit to China.

Before that, he was in Malaysia, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit.

Parliament was scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm today but started a few minutes late.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud was not present at the beginning of the sitting. By around 3:15 pm, only six ruling party MPs, including the Local Government Minister and the Social Welfare Minister, were seated in the front row. Several ministers, including those responsible for law, liberation war affairs, water resources, agriculture and civil aviation, were present, while the Finance Minister, Home Minister and Education Minister had not joined the sitting by 3:30 pm.

Concern over informal meetings inside the house

The Opposition Leader also expressed concern over MPs holding discussions in small groups while parliamentary business was underway.

He said that members were sometimes seen holding separate discussions during important debates, which was not conducive to parliamentary discipline or decorum.

The speaker agreed, saying he too had observed such behaviour from time to time.

"Please avoid group discussions inside the chamber. Remain in your seats and participate in parliamentary proceedings, or at least try to listen attentively," he told members, urging them to help maintain order in the House.

MPs' telephone directory yet to be published

Earlier, while delivering a ruling on a question of privilege, the speaker said seven notices had been received during the current session, six of which had already been disposed of.

The seventh notice was submitted by Rajshahi-1 MP Md Mujibur Rahman, who complained that a directory containing the contact information of MPs, ministers and officials of the National Parliament Secretariat had yet to be published.

He argued that such a directory was essential for MPs to perform their duties effectively.

In response, the speaker said work was underway on publishing the "Telephone Directory-2026" of the National Parliament Secretariat. However, several MPs had not yet submitted their personal information.

He also said parliamentary standing committees would be formed shortly and the directory would be published thereafter. As the matter did not relate to parliamentary privilege, the notice was not accepted.

The speaker urged members who had not yet submitted their information to do so promptly so that the directory could be published without further delay.

Chief whip seeks ministry directories

The government Chief Whip said MPs required not only the parliamentary directory but also contact information for various ministries and their subordinate offices.

He noted that MPs often faced difficulties contacting relevant officials because such information was not readily available.

Responding to the proposal, the Public Administration Minister said steps would be taken to prepare a directory of important telephone numbers for MPs and the Parliament Secretariat.

Query raised over Mirza Abbas's health

Under another point of order, Patuakhali-2 MP Shafiqul Islam Masud sought an update on the health condition of senior BNP leader and MP Mirza Abbas.

He also referred to the status of two ruling party MPs facing loan default-related cases and raised issues concerning the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, as well as recent rumours linked to comments reportedly made by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The speaker said Mirza Abbas had informed parliament by letter that his condition was steadily improving and that he would return to the House once fully recovered.

Regarding the other matters, the speaker said issues under judicial consideration and rumours could not be discussed in parliament.

"Rumours are never a matter for consideration by the National Parliament," he said.

He added that parliament would be informed in due course if any court delivered a final ruling affecting the membership status of any MP.