The lockdown will not cover the government office.Highlighting the discussions on coronavirus at the ECNEC meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said, “Government offices will not be closed due to coronavirus. Government officials and employees will be careful. Unnecessary meetings and seminars will be closed but cabinet and ECNEC meetings will continue. No place within the country will be locked down. But gradually tightening will be done. ”
The National Economic Council (NEC) meeting was held on Thursday (March 19). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting. About an hour before the meeting, Corona was discussed. After the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said these things.
Is there a decision to close the government office? He replied, ‘No. We will work, we will protect you – this is our policy. We will not back down from our work because of Corona. We will face Corona from the front, we will do the job perfectly. ‘
The Planning Minister said, “Some of the Mahals have said that we should reduce the meetings at this time. Yes, we will not have unnecessary meetings. For example, the ECNEC meeting, the cabinet meeting must be held. He (the Prime Minister) will not close them. And if there is a small meeting, I can close my charge. ‘
Regarding the lockdown, he said, “We did not have a situation like panic that caused the lockdown. Our people are more numerous. Our people are not accustomed to lockdown. There are many well-organized countries that order, accept without question. So it would not be fair to compare us with those countries. However, I will try to tighten it periodically, not lockdown. ‘
The Planning Minister also believes the economy will be affected by the coroner’s impact. “The overall economy will suffer,” he said. There is no doubt about it. For example, the income of Bangladesh Airlines will decrease. Rail, bus, school income are declining. Where is not decreasing. It will have an impact on our national income. ”
MA Mannan also commented that the Bangladeshi people are fortunate to be an agricultural country. He said, “Supply will be reduced in the market. You may not eat three times a month or two, but twice. You are lucky to live in an agricultural country. Comilla, vegetables will come from Bogra. We can bring a pumpkin from my aunt and have lunch. There are many countries, which carry the vegetables on the plane at night. Every morning on the plane with vegetables, milk, butter, bread, in the name of Switzerland. They don’t have them. They have water coming from outside, there are countries like that.’
Dhaka Bureau Chief, March 19,2020