DHAKA, Jan 6, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation this evening on completion of the fourth year of her government.
The full text of her televised address is as follows:
 
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
Assalamu Alaikum.
 
On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the formation of the government after being elected by the people in the 11th National Parliamentary Elections, I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to the countrymen and the expatriate brothers and sisters staying outside the country. At the same time, I wish you a very happy New Year 2023.
 
With deep respect, I recall Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all times and Father of the Nation, under whose undisputed leadership, we got an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. I am remembering the four national leaders and showing respects to 30 lakh martyrs and two lakh oppressed mothers and sisters. I say Salam to the brave freedom fighters.
 
With deep agony, I am recalling my mother Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, three brothers - freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal, freedom fighter Lt. Sheikh Jamal and 10-year-old Sheikh Russel - Kamal and Jamal's newlywed brides Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, my uncle freedom fighter Sheikh Abu Naser, freedom fighter and youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani, liberation war organiser and farmers' leader Abdur Rob Serniabat, Brigadier Jamil Uddin Ahmed and ASI Siddiqur Rahman of the police and all the martyrs who were killed in the night of August 15, 1975.
 
I am recalling 22 AL leaders and activists, including Awami League leader Ivy Rahman, who were killed in the grisly grenade attack on August 21, 2004. I am also remembering former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, Awami League leaders Ahsanullah Master, Manjurul Imam and Mumtaz Uddin and 21,000 AL leaders and activists who were brutally killed after 2001.
 
I am remembering all those who lost their lives in the arson attacks and petrol bombings carried out by BNP-Jamaat alliance from 2013 to 2015. I am showing sympathy to the members of the injured and bereaved families.
 
I am seeking eternal forgiveness and peace of the souls of the politicians, public representatives and other prominent people who died after formation of the government through the 11th national parliamentary elections.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
Since 2009, Bangladesh Awami League government has been running the country for 14 consecutive years after being elected by the people. You will judge and evaluate what we have been able to give to the country and its people in the last 14 years. On the occasion of the anniversary, I would like to vibrate your memory by highlighting just a few things.
 
When we took charge of the government in 2009, a global recession was going too. The prices of essential commodities including rice were skyrocketing. On the other hand, people's purchasing capacity was downward. There was load shedding for day after day for lack of electricity. Factory owners cried for lack of gas, while the stoves were not operational at houses of people. Farmers suffered a lot due to high prices of agricultural inputs, including fertilisers and lack of fuel oil.
 
Even, we took the responsibility of running the government in such an economic crisis. With the aim of building Digital Bangladesh, in the election manifesto, we formulated Vision 2021 and presented it to the people.
 
After forming the government with a huge mandate of people, we took necessary initiatives by formulating urgent, short, medium and long-term plans, in the light of that manifesto aiming to advance the country's socioeconomic progress.
 
By prioritising a few sectors, including agriculture, water and power, we started work to make the standstill economy vibrant. We had set up several small and large power plants at the government and private levels aiming to supply uninterrupted power.
 
At the very first cabinet meeting, we cut the price of chemical fertilizers with a view to increasing food grain production. After that, the prices of fertilizers were reduced two more times and brought it under the purchasing capacity of farmers. Even, we took initiatives to ensure planned development in every sector.
 
After the Vision 2021, we formulated Vision 2041 and Delta Plan 2100. In Vision 2021, we wanted to build Digital Bangladesh apart from achieving other goals. Today, we can say with satisfaction that we have been able to fulfil the pledges we made.
 
The aim of the Vision 2041 is to establish Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country on the world map by 2041. The aim of the Delta Plan 2100 is to make Bangladesh a sustainable, developed and prosperous state, dealing with the adverse impacts of climate change.
 
Today, the people have started reaping the benefits of our far-reaching plans. Today, cent percent of people of the country have been brought under electricity coverage. In addition to increasing our own gas production, we have set up LNG terminals to import LNG to meet its growing demand. Even, today middle-class and lower middle-class families cook on gas stoves in remote villages.
 
Overcoming various obstacles, we completed construction of the Padma Bridge with our own fund. This bridge directly connects 21 districts of south and south-western regions with Dhaka and other districts by road. We have touched another milestone in communication through inauguration of the Metrorail on December 28. Within a few days, another milestone will be achieved through inauguration of the Bangabandhu Tunnel in Chattogram, the South Asia's first underground tunnel. The work of setting up the country's first nuclear power plant at Rooppur, Ishwardi, Pabna, is progressing fast. We launched our own satellite Bangabandhu-1 into orbit in May, 2018.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
All the great and biggest achievements of this country, including the establishment of independent and sovereign Bangladesh, have been realised at the hands of Bangladesh Awami League and the Awami League government.
 
Under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, we achieved the great Independence through 23 years of political struggle and achieved the victory in a nine-month liberation war. After the independence, when Father of the Nation was close to putting the economy on a strong base by reconstructing the war ravaged country, anti-liberation forces killed him along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975. The development-progress of Bangladesh was stalled.
 
After 21 years in 1996, the Awami League got the chance to run the country. From 1996 to 2001 - in these 5 years, incredible development was achieved in the country's every sector. Bangladesh achieved sufficiency in food production.
 
During the 1996-2001 tenure, we established 11,000 community clinics and brought healthcare services at the doorsteps of commoners. Resolving the long-standing conflict, we established peace in the hills by signing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed with India. The February 21 has been recognised as the International Mother Language Day by UNESCO. By repealing the Indemnity Ordinance, we started the trial of the killings of Bangabandhu and four national leaders.
 
But, the Jamaat-BNP alliance came to power again through the 2001 elections of farce. The five-year reign of the BNP-Jamaat government was a stigmatised chapter in the history of Bangladesh. The people of this country have never seen the milestones of the alliance government set in misrules, including killings, rapes, looting, terrorism, spreading the poisonous vapour of communalism and patronising militancy. Hundreds of Awami League leaders and activists were killed at that time. The wheels of the economy came to a standstill. Inflation, price hike of commodities, fall in power generation and decline in literacy had made people's lives miserable.
 
At the end of its term, resorting to various tricks, it created obstacles in normal handover of power. By enlisting one crore and 23 lakh fake voters in voter list, it hatched plot to bypass the electoral process. The party formed the government giving the post of chief adviser to the President, who was elected by this party, and started a farce in the name of the January 6 elections. People had built a strong resistance.
 
Even, amid such an anarchic situation, the army-backed caretaker government declared a state of emergency and took over the responsibility of running the country. They not only failed to fulfil the expectations of the people, but also stigmatised various institutions, including the army by engaging those in various controversial activities. However, finally that government completed electoral reforms, including preparation of a fair voter list inserting photographs and transparent ballots. An acceptable election was held on December 29, 2008. The Awami League won more than two-thirds of the seats in this polls and formed the government.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
After forming the government in 2009, we have been in charge of running the government for 14 consecutive years.
 
I would like to show you through some socio-economic indicators that where we were in the last financial year of the BNP-Jamaat alliance government 16 years ago and where we are now.
 
In 2005-06, the last fiscal year of the alliance government, per capita income of the people of Bangladesh was $543. Currently it has increased to $2824.
 
In 2005-06 period, the poverty rate was 41.5 percent. Currently the poverty rate is 20 percent. The GDP growth rate was 5.40 percent. Before the Corona pandemic, it had increased to 8.15 percent in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
 
In 2005-06, the GDP size was just $60 billion. The size of the GDP in 2021-22 fiscal year is $460.75 billion.
 
In the 2005-06 fiscal year, the size of the national budget was Taka 61 thousand 57 crore. The size of the budget in the 2022-23 fiscal year is Tk 6 lakh 78 thousand 64 crore.
 
In the last fiscal year of BNP-Jamaat, the income in the export sector was $10.52 billion.
 
In 2021-2022 fiscal year, it increased to $52.08 billion. In fiscal year 2005-06, remittance inflow was $4.80 billion.
 
In 2021-2022 the fiscal year, expatriate Bangladeshis sent $22.07 billion. In 2005-06, the foreign exchange reserve was $3.5 billion. By mid-2021, it had risen to $48 billion.
 
Reserves currently stand at $34 billion as import costs rise due to global economic slowdown and inflation which is enough reserve to meet 5 months' import expenditures.
 
In 2005-06 period, the infant mortality rate was 45 per thousand. Currently it has come down to 22. Average life expectancy has increased from 64 and a half years to 73 years. Literacy rate increased from 45 percent to 75.2 percent. Enrolment rate in primary school was 71 percent, it has increased to 99 percent.
 
In the 2005-06 fiscal year, the allocation for social safety net programme was Taka 373 crore.
 
In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, it increased to Taka one lakh 13 thousand 576 crores.
 
In the 2005-06 fiscal year, the subsidy in agriculture sector was Taka 592 crore. In 2022-23 fiscal year, total amount of subsidy in agriculture sector is Tk 40,000 crore.
 
In the fiscal year 2005-06, rice production in the country was one crore 79 lakh metric tons. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, rice, wheat, maize production was 4 crore 72 lakh 88 thousand metric tons.
 
In the last year of the BNP-Jamaat alliance, the power generation capacity was only 3,600 MW. Currently it has increased to 25,826 MW.
 
At that time, the rate of population having electricity facilities was only 45 percent. In 2022, we have provided electricity to 100 percent people. We have illuminated all the houses.
 
Bangladesh is currently the 41st largest economy in the world.
 
Today, Bangladesh has attained the eligibility to join the ranks of developing countries from the list of least developed countries (LDCs). Bangladesh remains in top position in South Asia in terms of gender equality and women's political empowerment.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
In the last 14 years, there has been unprecedented development in the communication sector. Establishing uninterrupted road and rail communication in riverine Bangladesh required the construction of bridges over major rivers.
 
In the last 14 years, we have constructed and reconstructed hundreds of bridges, roads, highways including Padma Bridge, Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge, Teesta Bridge, Payra Bridge, 2nd Kanchpur Bridge, 2nd Meghna and 2nd Gumti Bridge.
 
Besides, many large and small flyovers including Hanif Flyover, Tejgaon-Moghbazar-Malibagh Flyover, Kamalapur-Shahjahanpur Flyover and Banani Flyover in Dhaka, Ahsanullah Master Flyover in Tongi, Aktaruzzaman Chowdhury Flyover and Baddarhat Flyover in Chattogram have been constructed.
 
 We are the first to upgrade Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Mymensingh, Nabinagar-DEPZ-Chandra, Dhaka-Elenga highways to four or more lanes.
 
Dhaka-Mawa-Janjira Expressway is the first such highway in the country. The work of upgrading Elenga-Rangpur highway, Aricha highway and Dhaka-Sylhet highway to four lanes is progressing rapidly.
 
 The 26-kilometer elevated expressway from the airport to Kutubkhali will be opened to traffic next year.
 
The work of establishing railway communication from Dhaka to Khulna via Padma Bridge and from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar is underway. Construction of railway bridge over Jamuna river is also progressing.
 
In November last, 100 bridges were inaugurated in a day and 100 roads were inaugurated in December. This is a unique achievement in the history of development of the country.
 
From 2009 to 2022, about 718 km of highways have been upgraded to 4 or more lanes. One lakh 13 thousand 303 meters of bridges have been constructed or reconstructed, 21 thousand 267 meters of culverts have been constructed.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
Bangladesh has achieved self-sufficiency in fish, meat and egg production. Bangladesh is ranked first in the world in Hilsa production.
 
Currently, Bangladesh has ranked 3rd in rice production, 2nd in jute production and 2nd in freshwater fish production in the world. About 2 crore 10 lakh farmers have been provided with agricultural input assistance cards. One crore farmers have opened bank accounts with Taka 10. The subsidy money is directly deposited to the bank.
 
Farmers are getting electricity at cheap price and 70 percent subsidy in purchasing agricultural machinery for irrigation.
 
A total of 100 economic zones are being built. Domestic and foreign companies have already started investing in many regions. Initiatives have been taken to build industries of agricultural products and food processing.
 
Uncultivated land is being brought under cultivation with a view to increase agricultural production massively. Arrangements for cold storage and crop processing will be taken at the local level.
 
Through the implementation of 'Amar Gram-Amar Sahar' programme, work is going on to reach all the civic facilities of the city to the people of the villages. Broadband internet service has also reached villages. So far more than 35 lakh people have been provided houses along with land at free of cost. Scholarships-stipends are being given to 2 crore 53 lakh students.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
At the beginning of 2020, Bangladesh, like other countries, fell into a deep economic crisis after the spread of the global corona virus pandemic.
 
But with your help and timely initiative of our government, we have managed to face the pandemic very well.
 
Hundred percent people eligible for vaccination have been given free vaccines.
 
To face the impact of the pandemic on the economy, we have given incentives of Taka two lakh 14 thousand crore under 28 packages.
 
Salaries and allowances of workers in garments and other industries have been guaranteed. Cash assistance of Taka 2500 has been given to 50 lakh marginal people in two phases.
 
During the corona virus pandemic, about 7 crore 58 lakh 36 thousand people have been benefited in various ways and about 2 lakh 13 thousand 467 institutions have been benefited.
 
But the Russia-Ukraine war has started just after overcoming the damages caused by the corona virus pandemic. Due to sanctions of Western countries and counter sanctions of Russia, the prices of daily commodities including food and fuel have increased abnormally. Transportation costs also increased. As a result, the price of goods has also increased in our country. We are buying some products at higher prices and distributing them at lower prices to people with limited income.
 
One crore families can purchase per kg rice at Tk 30 and edible oil, pulses and sugar at affordable price through TCB's Fair Price Card. Fifty lakh families can buy 30 kg of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg.
 
Thirty kg of rice is being given to needy people free of cost through VGD and VGF in every month.
 
We have undertaken rehabilitation programme for all small groups including Hijras, Bedes, Mantas, Dalits and Harijans.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
In the last 14 years, the image of Bangladesh has become brighter abroad. Today no one considers Bangladesh as a country of floods, droughts and disasters. Bangladesh is now an emerging economy. Role model for development.
 
Bangladesh is playing an important role in various international forums. Bangladesh is an active member of more than two dozen international organizations including the United Nations. Last October, Bangladesh was elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 5th time with getting huge votes.
 
Bangladesh has set a shining example of peaceful co-existence with its neighbours. The 68-year confining life of enclave residents has come to an end with the implementation of the Land Boundary Agreement with India.
 
Through the peaceful settlement of maritime boundaries with India and Myanmar, we have acquired sovereign rights over 118,813 square kilometre maritime areas in the Bay of Bengal. We have set a bright example of humanity in the world by providing shelters to around 11 lakh Rohingyas.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
National elections will be held by the end of this year or early next year. But now, the activities of the anti-liberation forces , power-mongers , looters of people's wealth and parasite groups have started. Their target is to create a troubled situation and seize state power through the back door and thwart the progress of democracy.
 
 They have employed hired intellectuals and statement-givers at home and abroad with looted money to malign Awami League and they are trying to mislead people through spreading false and fake information on social media. Don't be confused at their falsehood.
 
I am requesting political parties and institutions that believe in democracy and the rule of law not to indulge in and promote any strange ideas that undermine the constitutional process.
 
We expect a neutral ,free and fair election. This is the first time a law has been passed in Bangladesh to form an Election Commission.
 
Election commission has been formed under that law by forming a search committee.
 
Election Commission has been given financial independence. The Commission is working independently and will continue to do so in future. The government will continue providing all assistance to the Election Commission for fair and peaceful elections.
 
Awami League is the party of the people, believes in peace and the strength of the people. If the people cast their votes to make Awami League victorious, it will continue its national responsibility of building the country. If they don't make Awami League victorious, then we will go to the ranks of the people. But wherever we are, we will serve the people.
 
But I urge everyone to remain alert so that none can snatch away the rights of the people through hatching. At the same time, everyone should remain cautious so that none can create anarchy in the name of movement and harm people's lives and livelihood.
 
Dear Countrymen,
 
Our country has progressed a lot. But we have to go further. Our goal is to achieve a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. After building Digital Bangladesh, our next goal is to build a Smart Bangladesh. We have taken initiative to train up the youth by incorporating various components of the fourth industrial revolution.
 
The use of robotics, artificial intelligence, nano technology, genetic engineering, biotechnology which means the use of digital devices will be ensured in all fields including smart Bangladesh, smart government, smart population, smart industries-factories and trade and commerce, health, education, trade, agriculture. Emphasis is put on research in all areas.
 
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dreamed of building a Sonar Bangla to be free from exploitation and deprivation. Let us materialize his dream by building a happy-prosperous non-communal Bangladesh by building a smart country and bring smile on the faces of the common people of this country.
 
 
"Jatakkhon Dehe Achhe Pran
 
Pranpone Sorabo Janjal,
 
E Bishwoke E Shishur Basjogyo Kore Jabo Ami
 
Nobojatoker Kase E Amar Driro Ongikar"
 
 
Everyone stay well. May Allah help us.
 
 
Khoda Hafez.
 
 
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu
 
 
Long Live Bangladesh.