9th wage board award within July: Quader

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DHAKA, July 1, 2019 (BSS) – Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said the ninth wage board award for journalists and employees of newspapers and news agencies will be announced this month.

“The ninth wage board award for journalists will be announced soon. This is quite impossible to hang it in balance…it would be possible to announce the award of the ninth wage board within July,” he told a press conference at the Secretariat here.

Replying a query about militancy, Quader said after terrorist attacks in a peaceful country like Sri Lanka, no country is out of the risk of terrorism.

“Terrorist attacks took place even in peaceful countries like New Zealand and Norway. Attacks were also carried out in the USA,” he said, adding that the government is not panicked about militancy, but remains alert against its threat.

Responding to another question whether militants have scopes to enter his party, the AL general secretary said there is no leadership crisis in Awami League at the grassroots, as young leaders were elected in the last general elections.

“We are making it clear…no Jamaat man or anyone from anti-liberation forces can enter our party,” he said.

Noting that the existing cabinet could be expanded as there is still some vacancies, Quader said the expansion of cabinet is under jurisdiction of the Prime Minister.

About the sensational Rifat murder in Barguna, he said those involved in the killing would not be spared even if they belong to the ruling party.

“Police have already arrested nine suspects in connection with the murder case. I do believe the remaining killers will be nabbed soon,” the minister said.