There is no doubt that corruption has increased in the country. Corruption is increasing in the upper class. Planning Minister MA Mannan said that corrupt people are laundering money in different countries of the world including Europe, America, Canada and Dubai.
Apart from this, the influential people in the banking sector are also involved in money looting. Although two people were arrested and taken to jail, many people involved in money laundering should be brought under the law.
He said these while speaking as the chief guest at the Shadow Parliament function titled 'Universal Pension Scheme in Social Security' at the capital's FDC on Saturday.
Debate for Democracy organized this shadow parliament titled UCB Public Parliament. Chairman of the organization Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran presided over it.
Debaters from Govt. Titumir College became champions defeating debaters from Manarat International University in the shadow parliament. The judge was Dr. SM Morshed, journalist Mainul Alam, Sheikh Nazmul Haque Saikat, Zakir Hossain and architect Sabrina Yasmin Milli. Trophies and certificates were awarded to the winning teams at the end of the competition.
In the speech as the chief guest, MA Mannan said that the government has launched universal pension scheme to ensure social security in the old age of people of all classes and professions. The scheme is launched in the public interest taking calculated risks into consideration. It is a bold initiative of the current government. It would be better if the beneficiaries were included in the pension scheme while continuing the social security program benefits.
The minister said the government could consider the matter. The criticism of those who view the public pension scheme as an electoral fund raising initiative is not justified. The government has adopted this program to ensure long-term protection of citizens from the concept of welfare state. Public pension scheme looks like a conventional savings scheme but it will ensure long term welfare and security of the pensioners. The money deposited in the pension sector will be completely safe. For this you have to trust the government.
He also said that the government can take loans from this sector and implement infrastructure projects if necessary.
In the president's speech Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran said that the money received from the pension scheme should be invested in risk-free and profitable sectors. Pension scheme money can be invested in financially strong commercial banks, treasury bonds and profitable infrastructure. Lack of good governance, corruption, unbridled inflation, price inflation so that the implementation of the universal pension scheme is not hindered, the government needs to take care of it.