Govt committed to eliminating misrule, corruption fostered during AL regime: Yasser

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury today said the present government is determined to root out the misrule and corruption fostered during the Awami League-led fascist regime.

"The misrule and corruption caused by the fascist government will be eliminated under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, as the BNP government has taken responsibility for eliminating this mess," he said.

He made the remarks while addressing an introductory and views-exchange meeting of the Bangladesh Chalachithra Shilpi Samity at the FDC auditorium.
FDC Managing Director Masuma Tani presided over the meeting.

Referring to previous elections of the Bangladesh Chalachithra Shilpi Samity, the state minister said, "You have seen in the past how many irregularities took place during these elections. But the present government did not want to interfere in the election. The government wanted the artists to elect whomever they wished and cast their votes freely. That is why there has been no controversy over this election."

He said the government remained committed to ensuring a free and fair election of the association. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting provided overall support to ensure that the election was conducted in a completely impartial manner.

Referring to the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, he said Bangladesh Television (BTV) had acquired the broadcasting rights from FIFA for Taka 470 million to telecast the World Cup matches.

"We acted very efficiently, and as a result, we have so far been able to return Taka 440 million to the government treasury," he said.

Describing it as a "rare event", he said such an example had never been set in Bangladesh before.

He alleged that the previous fascist government had misappropriated nearly Taka one billion in public funds while broadcasting the previous FIFA World Cup.

Speaking about future plans, the state minister said the government is seriously considering whether films could be produced under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Discussions with the FDC are continuing to restore the film industry to its former glory, and the government is working tirelessly to achieve that goal, he added.

The function, conducted by Bangladesh Chalachithra Shilpi Samity President Shiba Shanu, was also addressed by noted artist Ithun Babu, JASAS Central Committee Convener Helal Khan, Bangladesh Chalachithra Porichalok Samity President Shahin Sumon, Bangladesh Film Club President Samchul Alam, and Bangladesh Chalachithra Shilpi Samity General Secretary Joy Chowdhury, among others.

At the beginning of the meeting, Shiba Shanu formally introduced the newly elected artists.

At the end of the programme, the artists presented a floral tribute to the state minister