Jatiya party chairman GM Quader on Sunday asked parliament whether “government officials” had reached a “deal” with leaders in the transport sector.

“Reports of additional charges, harassment of passengers and various irregularities in the transport sector are regularly broadcast by the media… who is really in control of the transport sector – the government or the transport owners, or the workers? He asked himself.

Giving the farewell speech at the 15th session of the 11th parliament, the leader of the Jatiya party also wanted to know who was working to protect the interests of people in an important sector like transport. “Is there an agreement between the government authorities and the leaders of this sector? Many people make such a claim.

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GM Quader, also deputy opposition leader in parliament, was seen smiling as he raised the issue alongside his party MP Moshiur Rahman Ranga, chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association .

He said it was only natural for transport owners to demand an increase in bus fares due to rising fuel prices, but that people were subjected to inhuman suffering as a transport strike took place. was imposed without notice.

The president of the Jatiya party has also found no justification for the suspension of gas-powered bus services.

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He said the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), which is responsible for building a modern and disciplined road transport system, should have taken effective punitive action against those who disrupted the road transport system by putting themselves on strike without notice.

He said BRTA has set new fares for diesel buses based on demand, but gas and diesel buses are taking additional fares for passengers.

GM Quader also said the current demand by students to provide them with a half-fare bus fare is justified.

He said students from different countries travel by public transport at lower fares than usual. “This system was in practice in our country in the past.”

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He hoped that the authorities concerned implement the issue of half-fees for students as soon as possible either by promulgating a law or a decree.

In his speech, GM Quader called for the introduction of retirement benefits for MPs. “We have many MPs who have served people for 20 to 25 years as their representative. In many countries MPs receive retirement assistance. I demand that such arrangements be made in our country, ”he observed.

Party leader Jatiya said similar benefits can also be introduced for mayors, councilors, presidents, vice-presidents and members of local government bodies.