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BNP chief Khaleda Zia to lose all state facilities

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia is going lose all government facilities which she has enjoyed last 23 years either as prime minister or opposition leader.

 

JP presidium member Raushan Ershad, who is all set to replace Khaleda as the opposition leader and she will get the facilities.

Khaleda Zia lost the post with oath taking of members of the 10th parliament and selection of a new leader of the opposition on January 9, 2014, which is equivalent to the rank of a cabinet minister.


Since 1991, Khaleda Zia was 2 times prime minister and 4 times lawmakers who had been enjoying state facilities.

The 18-party opposition alliance and most of the political parties boycotted the January 5, 2014 controversial election.

Jatiya Party bagged 33 seats in the January 5 election choose Roushan as the JP parliamentary chief and opposiiton leader. Roushan is a wife of former president Hossain Mohammad Ersad.

 

The AL government withdrew police protocol of Khaleda Zia on December 28, 2013.

According to Bangladesh constitution the opposition leader maintained an office in Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, have a private secretary, an assistant private secretary, 2 personal assistants, 3 office assistants, 3 peons, a full-time chauffeur and all logistic supports for the office.

Opposition leader also entitled to get a cook and other supporting staffers in case of staying at government house.

According to the privilege act amended in 2010, the opposition leader of Bangladesh gets monthly allowance of Tk 53, 100 and state residence that would be furnished at a cost of Tk 5 lac. If opposition leader live in a private residence then he/she will get tk. 25000 as monthly rent.

Opposition leader gets a security team comprising a head constable, one nayek and six constables. Besides, two gunmen from Special Branch were on duty round the clock at the residence.

Parliament secretariat provides all utilities, including water, electricity, gas, and telephone and mobiles phone bills.  State transportation pool provides two vehicles – one official car and an additional jeep for official business – at the government’s expense.