[🇧🇩] Everything about the interim government and its actions

[Saif]

Bangladesh interim govt to begin dialogue with political parties Saturday

Interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus would start talks with political parties on reform issues and the current law and order situation today.

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh interim govt to begin dialogue with political parties Saturday
Staff Correspondent 05 October, 2024, 00:12

Interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus would start talks with political parties on reform issues and the current law and order situation today.

Other advisers will also be present at the talks.

The meeting will highlight the issues of reform from the interim government’s side as it has established six commissions to advance state reforms, five of which have been fully formed with each having one student representative, among other members.

Five of the commissions comprise eight members, including the commission heads, while the police reform commission consists of nine members.

The names of the members of the electoral system, police, judiciary, Anti-Corruption Commission, and public administration reform commissions were announced on Thursday.

According to the chief adviser’s office, the dialogue will kick off today at 2:30pm at his official residence, the State Guest House Jamuna on Hare Road.

The first meeting will be held with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told New Age that party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will lead its delegation.

After the BNP, the meeting will be held with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at 3:00pm, Ganatantra Mancha at 3:30pm, Left Democratic Unity at 4:00pm, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh at 4:30pm, Islami Andolon Bangladesh at 5:00pm, and the last meeting of the first day will take place with AB Party at 5:30pm.

This will be the third round of discussions between the chief adviser and political parties, the previous one of which was held on August 31.

At today’s meeting, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party would suggest that the reform commissions should complete their work as soon as possible, while it should concurrently proceed with the arrangement of holding the next general elections.

‘BNP will share its thoughts that bringing reforms to the constitutional bodies and constitution as well is the responsibilities of an elected parliament, therefore the interim government should make proposals for reforms based on consultation with and consensus of the democratic political parties,’ a BNP standing committee member seeking anonymity told New Age.

He said that the party would also suggest that the government should make administration more functional and restore law and order with effective policing.

‘The interim government will make a mistake if it thinks to hold the election after completing all its planned reforms. They should actually bring speedy reforms to the electoral system, judiciary and public administration, focusing on those reforms that are critical to ensure a fair election,’ he said.

After former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country in the face of a student-led mass uprising on August 5, Yunus was sworn in as the chief adviser to the interim government on August 8.

In his speech to the nation on October 1, Yunus announced the formation of six reform commissions.​

 

[Saif]

Failure of interim govt would increase chances of Hasina’s return: Time

Political observers and analysts in Bangladesh and abroad said that dysfunction in Bangladesh’s interim government would considerably boost the chances of Sheikh Hasina’s...

www.newagebd.net

Failure of interim govt would increase chances of Hasina’s return: Time
New Age Desk 03 October, 2024, 20:01

Sheikh Hasina | AFP file photo

Political observers and analysts in Bangladesh and abroad said that dysfunction in Bangladesh’s interim government would considerably boost the chances of Sheikh Hasina’s participation in elections, according to a US-based Time Magazine report published on Thursday.

According to Time, a return for Hasina ‘is quite credible,’ says Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. ‘If you look at the history of dynastic politics in South Asia, you can never rule out dynastic parties even when they appear to be down and out.’

Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year reign as prime minister ended on July 5. She resigned and fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising on the day. Hundreds were killed and wounded during the uprising.

Zillur Rahman, executive director of the Dhaka-based Centre for Governance Studies and a talk show host, told Time that there was no way for Sheikh Hasina and her party to play any significant overt role in Bangladeshi politics for the next decade unless the interim government fails monumentally, according to the report available online.

Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus took the oath as the chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh on July 8. However, the government is currently facing many challenges.

In 15 years of uninterrupted rule, practically every government institution has been politicised by Hasina’s Awami League party, engendering deep distrust of the military, courts, civil service, and especially security services, mentions Time.

In his address to the nation on September 11, chief adviser Muhammad Yunus announced the formation of six commissions for reforms in the electoral system, police, judiciary, public administration, constitution and anti-corruption commission.

Shahidul Haque, a retired Bangladesh Army major-general, ambassador, and defence attaché, told Time that a politicised bureaucracy was trying every trick in the book to stymie reforms, says. ‘They are trying to destabilise this government,’ he says. ‘And if no visible improvements happen people are going to lose patience.’

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Sheikh Hasina, is counting on it.

‘If they want to run the country for a year or 18 months, actually I believe that’s perfect,’ he told Time, pointing to ‘lawlessness’ with ‘the mob, the protesters, basically on a rampage.’

However, Meenakshi Ganguly, Asia deputy director for Human Rights Watch, said that there wasn’t an absolute breakdown in the rule of law. ‘There are no pogroms, and we haven’t seen any recent attacks on a large scale,’ he told Time.

Other observers are less confident about Hasina’s participation in elections as across Bangladeshi society, statues of Sheikh Mujib have been toppled, posters of Hasina defaced and replaced by lurid graffiti decrying her as a dictator.

‘That’s how Sheikh Hasina’s legacy is being imagined among the young population,’ Mubashar Hasan, a Bangladeshi scholar at the University of Oslo in Norway, told Time.

Joy claimed that he did not have political ambition and no decision had been made regarding whether Hasina would return to stand in elections.

‘But given the current scenario, who knows? I haven’t made any decision,’ said Joy.

Observers also mentioned that Joy likely had no political future in Bangladesh because he could not build an image as a people’s leader and Awami League could not imagine an alternative to Hasina.

Rahman told Time that Awami League’s biggest weakness was its cult of personality centred around Sheikh Hasina.

He said, ‘They cannot imagine an alternative to Sheikh Mujib’s daughter.’

Rahman added that if Joy could not reinvent himself from the ground up as a people’s leader in Bangladesh, he likely had no political future.

Mubashar, the Oslo-based scholar, agrees, ‘He doesn’t have the respect and attachment among young people. And demography matters,’ mentions Time.​

 

[Saif]

Political parties want road map to polls

Leaders of major political parties yesterday asked Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus for a road map to reforms and the next general election.

www.thedailystar.net

Political parties want road map to polls
During dialogue, Yunus tells them that reform commissions will talk to parties before filing reports

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at a dialogue with a BNP delegation at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: PID

Leaders of major political parties yesterday asked Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus for a road map to reforms and the next general election.

They also expressed concerns over the rising prices of essentials and a lack of law and order.

Leaders of BNP, Jamaat, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, six parties each from Ganatantra Mancha and Baam Gonotantrik Morcha platforms held dialogues with Prof Yunus at state guesthouse Jamuna.

The first dialogue was with a six-member BNP delegation led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the party.

"We demanded a road map to the next election," he told reporters after the talks.

The chief adviser told them that elections are the interim government's number one priority.

The BNP also demanded removal of "one or two individuals in the interim government who are against the main spirit of the interim government and the mass uprising".

A new election commission should be formed immediately based on political consensus, and the law through which previous ECs were formed should be repealed.

The election reform commission should not have controversial members, Fakhrul said.

The BNP demands that members of ECs that held "farcical" national elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 be brought to justice, he added.

"Former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque who was key to destroying the electoral system and cancellation of the caretaker government system should face sedition charges."

When the Awami League was in power, most of the appointments to the High Court Division were partisan, and about 30 judges are still working there, Fakhrul pointed out.

It is worrying that people who are being arrested on specific charges like corruption and murders are being released on bail, he said, adding that false and politically motivated cases filed during the Awami League need to be withdrawn.

"Some police officers and former ministers are fleeing the country. We ask the interim government to look into how they are fleeing and who is helping them.

"Many in the civil administration who assisted the fascist government are still there. They should be removed and appointments of new deputy commissioners facing allegations should be cancelled."

BNP urged the interim government to take action against those trying to create anarchy in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

"Some Hindu people, ahead of the Durga Puja, are spreading propaganda that the Hindu community is being attacked. It is absolutely false and it is a conspiracy against Bangladesh. We have asked the interim government to consider these issues very seriously."

Interim government previously said the focus of the dialogue would be to learn how political parties could cooperate with the six reform commissions. Besides, discussions would cover the state of law, order and Puja.

JAMAAT WANTS TWO ROAD MAPS

Jamaat-e-Islami wants a road map to reforms and another to the next election, said its Ameer Shafiqur Rahman.

"If reforms are successful then the election will be successful. We hope the government will remain impartial and hold a free and fair election," he said.

People who face charges of killing, money laundering, and being involved in enforced disappearance, should be punished, he said.

Jamaat hopes the interim government will not unnecessarily prolong its stay in power, he said.

Regarding concerns over law and order during Puja, Shafiqur said, "If the law enforcers and people work together, we hope people of Hindu community will be able to hold a remarkable Durga Puja this year."

Jamaat will unveil its detailed reform plan on October 9, he said.

LEFT ALLIANCES

Ruhin Hossain Prince, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, said, "If there is delay [before election], evil forces may do something."

The left parties demanded urgent government steps to control the prices of essentials and establish law and order.

'The Liberation War cannot be turned into something controversial. Democratic rights are being snatched away by banning student politics in universities while communal forces are getting advantages. This cannot go on," he said.

Nagarik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said, "We see some weaknesses, failures, and limitations of the administration."

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said he proposed forming nine more reform commissions.

The chief adviser also held dialogues with leaders of Amar Bangladesh Party, two factions of Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Hefajat-e Islam.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy that Prof Yunus informed the parties that reform commissions will consult the political parties, other stakeholders before filing their reports in three months.

After receiving the reports, the interim government will meet the parties again to reach a consensus regarding the reforms. The timeline will depend on that consensus, he added.

Preparations for election and formation of the EC will be done in the meantime an election can be held as soon as the consensus is reached, he said.

Mahfuj Alam, special assistant to the chief adviser, said the government would hopefully break the cartels responsible for higher commodity prices.

Government officials who assisted the fascist regime will be brought to justice, he added.

Asked whether Sheikh Hasina would face trial, Mahfuj said government agencies were working to bring all perpetrators to book.​

 

[Saif]

Interim Government committed to curbing essential commodity prices by breaking syndicates: Mahfuj Alam

hief Adviser's Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam on Saturday night said the government remains committed to controlling the prices of essential commodities as soon as possible at any cost, dismantling the "syndicate" and stopping "extortion". "We hope we will find a solution. The government is very si

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Interim Government committed to curbing essential commodity prices by breaking syndicates: Mahfuj Alam
FE Online Desk
Published :
Oct 06, 2024 00:00
Updated :
Oct 06, 2024 00:01

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam on Saturday night said the government remains committed to controlling the prices of essential commodities as soon as possible at any cost, dismantling the "syndicate" and stopping "extortion".

"We hope we will find a solution. The government is very sincere. We expect that scope will be created very soon to dismantle the syndicate and stop extortion," he told reporters while responding to a question on the government's efforts to provide consumers some relief by keeping prices of essentials affordable, UNB reports.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the media briefing held at Foreign Service Academy.

Mahfuj also said the government remains open to suggestions from the people, political parties and civil society members so that it can address consumers’ issues.

He said the law enforcement situation is gradually returning to normalcy from the initial bad shape and mentioned that the government from the very beginning has been trying to remain vocal against syndicate and extortion.

The briefing was arranged after the lengthy dialogue between the Chief Adviser and major political parties that began at 2:30 pm today and lasted till 9 pm.

BNP's demands include removal of “one or two” members of the interim government.

"There are one or two (persons) in the interim government who are obstructing the main spirit of the interim government and the people's uprising. We demanded their removal," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters after the dialogue.

When Mahfuj's attention was drawn to BNP’s demand, he said it is normal to have dissatisfaction but they want to see whether the advisers are working properly in line with their responsibility.

"We hope they will work as per people’s desire," said the Special Assistant.

Responding to another question, Mahfuj said not only former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, all who were involved in mass killings will be brought to justice gradually following due legal procedures.

"From our side, we made it clear. The relevant departments and wings are working to that end," he said.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) called upon the Chief Adviser to interim government, Prof Muhammad Yunus, to announce a roadmap of the election along with the formation of a new election commission based on the consensus of major political parties.

“A new Election Commission will have to be formed immediately based on the consensus of major political parties suspending the Election Commission Appointment Act. We have asked to give a roadmap when the election commission will hold the election,” said the BNP Secretary General.

Regarding this, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said there will be a consensus on reform programmes as there are six specific reform commissions which will submit their reports in December.

"Timeline depends on that consensus," he said, adding that work towards election-centric preparations including Election Commission formation will go ahead simultaneously.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina’s agents still active in administration: BNP

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday said that ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s agents, who smuggled thousands of crores of taka were still active in the administration.

www.newagebd.net

Hasina’s agents still active in administration: BNP
Staff Correspondent 06 October, 2024, 23:51

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday said that ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s agents, who smuggled thousands of crores of taka were still active in the administration.

The BNP senior joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, addressing a meeting in Moulvibazar, said that the agents of Hasina would not allow the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government to succeed in their targeted works.

‘The current foreign secretary was an ambassador to Qatar [during the AL regime]. He did not renew the passports of those involved in BNP politics then. Many Bangladeshis had to return home because of his controversial role,’ the BNP leader alleged.

The meeting was organised following an event of providing financial assistants to the family of Swarna Das, a 16-year-old school girl, killed by the Border Security Force of India along the Bangladesh-India border in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar on September 1.

At the meeting, Rizvi said that the foreign secretary was an agent of dictator Sheikh Hasina.

‘How did he become the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? They never want your (Yunus) success. Agents of authoritarian governments like these will constantly challenge you,’ he said.

Rizvi alleged that the number of incidents of killing Bangladesh nationals by BSF had been increasing since the fall of the Hasina regime.

‘Their (India) slave Sheikh Hasina has fled the country. That is why, the Indian BSF is now more aggressive. Professor Yunus came to power with people’s confidence after the people’s revolution on August 5. We also have confidence in this government,’ he said.

The BNP leader, drawing the interim government’s attention, however, said that early elections should be held keeping the practice of democracy in mind.

He said that BSF shot Swarna to death along the border in the way they had killed Felani Khatun on January 7, 2011.

Qatar BNP general secretary and Moulvibazar District unit BNP adviser Shariful Haque Saju also spoke.​

 

[Saif]

Yunus’ economic gambit paying off

Two months ago, as Professor Muhammad Yunus waded into Bangladesh’s unprecedented political turmoil, he inherited economic chaos by default.

www.thedailystar.net

Yunus’ economic gambit paying off
Interim govt has made progress in beleaguered financial sector

Two months ago, as Professor Muhammad Yunus waded into Bangladesh's unprecedented political turmoil, he inherited economic chaos by default.

The interim government led by the Nobel Peace Prize winner stared into an economic outlook darkened by double-digit inflation, massive capital flight, shrinking reserves and a heavily strained banking system – a legacy left behind by Sheikh Hasina's regime. Prof Yunus' team wasted no time and took swift steps to rebuild reserves, reform the banking sector and retrieve bad loans. It strived to balance immediate interventions with long-term plans to ensure economic recovery and stability.

As reserves dwindled to a dangerous level, Bangladesh appealed to global lenders for help, securing a clear commitment from the International Monetary Fund to stand by the nation and fast-track fresh loans. The authorities now expect as much as $6 billion in new funds from global lenders, a badly needed lifeline that will ease pressure on reserves.

Bangladesh has been grappling with persistently high inflation for years, consistently exceeding 10 percent. This prolonged inflationary pressure is placing a significant burden on middle- and low-income groups, as well as marginalised communities. In response, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, appointed by Yunus, implemented a series of policy measures aimed at tackling inflation. These actions included halting the printing of money for government loans, raising the policy interest rate, and rationalising public spending to create a balance between fiscal and monetary policies.

While these measures are timely, it will take some time for inflationary pressures to ease, according to Abdur Razzaque, chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID).

The banking sector is facing a critical liquidity crisis, exacerbated by bad loans resulting from politically motivated lending and the looting that occurred when state-backed individuals took control of banks. This situation poses a significant challenge for the new government.

At the end of 2023, the country's distressed loans, a sum of non-performing loans, rescheduled loans and restructured write-offs, stood over Tk 4.75 lakh crore, which was 32 percent of the total outstanding bank loans and close to the operating expenditure of the 2023-24 national budget.

The actual amount of such loans will be much more if the latest situations are considered, said Selim Raihan, executive director of the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM). He also feared that a large portion of these distressed loans may not be recoverable. "This is the biggest concern," he said.

Since Mansur took over as the chief of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank reconstituted the boards of 11 beleaguered banks, mostly controlled by S Alam Group owner Mohammed Saiful Alam, who took away more than Tk 1 lakh crore from various lenders. Bangladesh Bank has also taken a stance not to provide direct liquidity support to the crisis-hit banks and facilitated interbank liquidity support from wealthy banks to ill lenders.

The new central bank governor moved to correct the corrupted banking sector and went after some financial hooligans who were closely pampered and indulged by the Awami League regime for doing any misdeeds they wished for, said Biru Paksha Paul, professor of economics at the State University of New York.

In addition, Bangladesh Bank has formed several task forces to assess the financial health of banks, find ways to resolve their crises, recover bad loans, and repatriate laundered money.

However, Paul said the central bank governor does not have the magisterial powers to punish the wrongdoers. "Similar efforts from the law and home ministries are missing. Now economic reforms do not mean academic discourse on economic laws because this is not a decent economy."

Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), thinks more dynamic reforms are needed considering the gravity of challenges in recovering bad loans. Even though taskforces have been formed, it is not clear yet what types of initiatives have been taken to recover these loans, he added.

While banking sector reform, bad loan recovery, and inflation control depend on the government's strength and capability, increasing eroding reserves—crucial for covering import bills—requires effective policy measures. The central bank has already implemented strategies to encourage remittance inflows by providing incentives for remittance earners to use formal channels and halting dollar lending from reserves. This approach has resulted in an impressive 80 percent year-on-year increase in remittances for September, with receipts reaching $2.4 billion, up from $2.2 billion in August.

According to RAPID Chairman Abdur Razzaque, noteworthy efforts are being made to address the foreign reserve crisis, including discontinuing the sale of dollars from reserves, reducing the exchange rate gap between banks and curbing markets—likely exacerbated by money laundering linked to corruption—encouraging migrants to send remittances through formal channels, and securing soft loans and budget support from bilateral and multilateral partners. "Export performance has been sluggish due to weak demand for apparel in key markets such as the US and Germany. However, as exports recover and mirror the dynamism seen in remittances, the reserve situation should improve," he added.

CPD Research Director Moazzem noted that while the outcomes of many initiatives have yet to become evident, there are positive signs, such as a degree of stability in the exchange rate and growth in remittance receipts. "However, we have yet to see any sign of increasing foreign exchange reserve, which is hovering near $20 billion," he added.

The central bank has planned to establish a banking commission to establish good governance in the banking sector and oversee reforms, but it could not make it happen in the last two months of its journey. According to Moazzem, the government should take immediate steps to this end.

Despite all efforts, regaining depositors' trust—the most critical asset for lenders—will be challenging for the central bank. This trust has been severely eroded by rampant corruption in the sector, which has put at least 10 banks on the brink of collapse. However, Abdur Razzaque hopes that with the current high interest rates, savers are being encouraged to deposit more, as reflected in the growth of deposits. This should help restore much-needed confidence in the system, especially in the aftermath of the massive mismanagement at several banks, he added.

Moazzem further said despite those initiatives in the banking sector, no step has been taken for the liquidation of some crisis-hit banks as the excessive number of banks is hampering the market competitiveness.

Selim Raihan hoped that those who were given the responsibility to oversee the banking sector would find a way out to create a pathway for the banking sector. However, it is not possible to bring a positive change by the only efforts of a few individuals like Mansur, if the whole bureaucratic system of the government mechanism is not functional, Raihan said.

While multiple measures have been initiated in the banking sector, the efforts in other sectors remain largely invisible. However, the formation of a committee led by renowned economist Debapriya Bhattacharya to prepare a white paper assessing the economic damage of the past 15 years is a significant step forward.

The country's stock market has been severely affected by rampant corruption during Hasina's regime. Its regulator, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, is slowly waking up. It formed a five-member task force mainly to increase the confidence of investors and ensure good governance in the stock market. The SEC imposed a fine of Tk 428.52 crore on five companies and four individuals for manipulating the prices of Beximco shares, an unprecedented penalty in the country's capital market.

In an effort to ensure tax compliance, the government blocked the transfer of shares of seven corporate giants that thrived under the Awami League government. The companies are Bashundhara Group, Orion Group, Summit Group, Beximco Group, S Alam Group, Nassa Group, and Third Wave Technologies, now Nagad Ltd.

But the interim government seems to be falling short of public expectations on broader economic reforms. It has formed six reform commissions which are focused on having an acceptable election, but strong reforms for the economy are required, Birupaksha Paul said.

He said the government's first job will be to correct the cancer and bring all financial hooligans to justice. And its next steps will follow academic exercises on the economy such as -- fair competition, job creation for the youths who are at the root of this change, controlling inflation, making market-based interest and exchange rates, recovery of defaulted loans, imposing taxes on those who can pay to improve revenues, correct the capital market and finally bring the semblance of speedy governance in the financial sector, Paul also said.

"As challenges in revenue collection persist, we've seen some initiatives from NBR, such as automation. However, major initiatives, like strengthening the financial audit system, are still lacking," said Moazzem. He noted that the finance adviser has suggested revising the budget to reduce the allocation of Tk 1 lakh crore for the less import-dependent sector, but this has not yet been implemented. Moazzem believes that more dynamic reforms are necessary given the severity of challenges in these areas.

However, according to Moazzem, initiatives in the financial sector are adequate, compared to other sectors, but the results of those initiatives have not been visible till now as they require more time.

"We want to measure the success of these initiatives using three indicators: reducing inflation to 5-6 percent, achieving an exchange rate of Tk 90 per dollar, and lowering interest rates to single digits. Additionally, a significant reduction in defaulted loans is essential," he added.

Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank's Dhaka office, commented that it is too early to assess the initiatives of the current interim government, noting that more time is needed to evaluate their outcomes.​

 

[Saif]

Interim govt to continue the Japan funded project

The interim government will undertake a lone mega project during its tenure, namely the Matarbari deep-sea port, according to Planning and Education Adviser Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud.

www.thedailystar.net

Interim govt to continue the Japan funded project

The interim government will undertake a lone mega project during its tenure, namely the Matarbari deep-sea port, according to Planning and Education Adviser Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud.

"This will be the sole mega project during the interim government's tenure. It may be completed by 2030," he said yesterday at a press briefing in the capital's Agargaon.

In this regard, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the "Matarbari Port Development Project", which was revised for the second time.

"This deep-sea port has geopolitical significance. Many countries, including China and India, want to build this port," the adviser said.

However, the government has selected Japan as the development partner considering it charges lower interest and offers a longer repayment period, he said.

He added that once the deep-sea port comes into operation, trade and commerce in the country will be boosted while the importance of this route will increase.

"Existing ports will not meet the demands of the future," he said.

Matarbari deep-sea port has geopolitical significance. Many countries, including China and India, want to build this port— Wahiduddin Mahmud Planning adviser.

After revising the project, the overall cost now stands at Tk 24,381 crore with an additional cost of Tk 6,574 crore. The project was taken in 2020 and was supposed to be completed by 2026.

However, the deadline was later extended to December 2029.

Prof Mahmud said a new road would be built under this project, which will raise the overall cost.

He also opined that the level of corruption and waste of resources had now reduced to some extent.

"But the magnitude of extortion has probably not decreased so much," he said.

Besides, Prof Mahmud said the pace of investment in the country is slow. Although the private sector is the engine of the economy, many private sector entrepreneurs and bank owners are missing,

"After such a big political change, such a slowdown in investment is normal," he said.

Given this context, Prof Mahmud also said increasing public expenditure to some extent is necessary to spur job creation and ensure smooth functioning of the economy.

Prof Mahmud also said there was undue political influence on the growth and inflation figures that were presented in the past.

He added that the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) lacks capacity.

"I'm not reprimanding them for that. The situation is the same in all developing countries."

The adviser further said the government will prepare a report on the vehicles owned by the government throughout the country.

"Different government projects use vehicles but what happens to those once the projects end will be assessed in the report. Besides, for what purposes the vehicles are used will also be assessed," he added.

"We will know the condition of these cars. Road Transport and Bridges Affairs Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan will submit the report to the Advisory Council soon."​

 

[Saif]

Interim govt struggling on many fronts

The government on around a dozen occasions has backtracked on its decisions during its two months in office, casting doubts about its resolve.

www.thedailystar.net

Interim govt struggling on many fronts
Backtracks on its decisions on multiple occasions

The government on around a dozen occasions has backtracked on its decisions during its two months in office, casting doubts about its resolve.

Political analysts interpret this as signs of inconsistency, a lack of experience and determination, and the uncertainty troubling the government as it struggles to strike a balance between diverse demands.

But according to highly placed sources in the interim government, the main reason behind the backpedalling was a result of pressure created by social media outcry and public perception amid a shifting political landscape.

The government's U-turns sometimes appeared to be a result of it having to navigate diverse pressure groups and manoeuvre around different preferences of the political forces.

For several weeks after taking oath, Prof Muhammad Yunus faced an almost unrelenting wave of agitation from different quarters who had finally found an empathetic figure at the helm of the government.

Whether it is the appointment of a senior secretary or a deputy commissioner, the constitutional reform commission head or a public prosecutor, the government has backed down from its initial decisions time and again to balance practicality and public desire.

Prof Al Masud Hasanuzzaman, who teaches government and politics at Jahangirnagar University, thinks turning back from its position is nothing but a sign of "indecision".

"The government had to take many quick decisions because time was of the essence and thus some mistakes were made," he said.

He told The Daily Star that the government needed capable people to run the administration but had to give in to people's demands.

"The government had to take many quick decisions because time was of the essence and thus some mistakes were made."— Prof Al Masud Hasanuzzaman
Masud said he believed that the government was not acting on the right kind of information all the time.

Speaking about the appointments of DCs last month, a top official close to the council of advisers said the order was made after proper verifications. But the Secretariat witnessed an unprecedented scene and later the government had to cancel the appointments of eight DCs due to protests.

The official said personal secretary to a minister is just another bureaucratic post, but most bureaucrats consider holders of these posts as loyal to the party in power.

This perception caused the interim government to backpedal from its decision to appoint some of these officials.

The missteps in appointments are pretty significant and frequent.

AKM Matiur Rahman was promoted to secretary to the shipping ministry on September 30 only to be made an officer on special duty (OSD) within three days. OSD is considered a punishment post.

Immediately after his appointment, his books on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went viral on social media and many raised questions over his appointment that compelled the interim government to change its decision, according to sources.

But according to the top official, this bureaucrat was a brilliant officer.

In another case, the interim government appointed retired officer Ilahi D Khan as the secretary to the food ministry on September 30 on a two-year contract only to cancel the deal within nine hours.

Although the government did not mention any reasons for scrapping the contract, sources said it was because of corruption charges against him by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khastagir, a career diplomat of the 20th BCS batch, was promoted to ambassador for Poland on September 25. But his appointment was cancelled within 10 days reportedly for his role during the uprising.

The interim government replaced head of the Constitutional Reform Commission Shahdeen Malik with Prof Ali Riaz within a week of his appointment.

Economist and public policy expert Masrur Reaz was appointed as the chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on August 13, but he regretted his inability to take the job four days later.

Lawyer Ehsanul Haque Samaji was appointed as the new public prosecutor of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court on August 27. A day after his appointment, pro-BNP lawyers staged a protest in front of the Dhaka Bar Association, demanding its cancellation.

The next day, Samaji declined to accept the appointment.

On September 1, BSEC appointed seven independent directors to the board of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). One of them, Majedur Rahman, chairman of Maldives Islami Bank, declined to take the charge.

Last month, filmmaker Ashfaque Nipun was appointed to the censor board. He not only declined but also advocated abolishing the board system altogether.

On September 22, the government abolished the Bangladesh Film Censor Board and announced that it would constitute the "Bangladesh Film Certification Board".​

 

[Saif]

Reinvigorating the interim government: Challenges and the path forward

Exactly two months have passed since the interim government assumed office on August 8. Although it may be premature to fully assess its performance, it is worth reflecting on its progress and the challenges it faces. The “July Revolution” — led by the heroic student movement that

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Reinvigorating the interim government: Challenges and the path forward
CAF Dowlah
Published :
Oct 08, 2024 21:29
Updated :
Oct 08, 2024 21:35

Exactly two months have passed since the interim government assumed office on August 8. Although it may be premature to fully assess its performance, it is worth reflecting on its progress and the challenges it faces. The “July Revolution” — led by the heroic student movement that overthrew one of the most oppressive regimes in recent history — continues to resonate throughout the country. The people, still relishing the freedom they fought so hard for, remain inspired by the overthrow of autocracy.

However, the initial euphoria that followed the revolution is beginning to fade. Tangible progress toward achieving the revolution’s goals has been slow, and the interim government’s disorganised decision-making has raised doubts about its capacity to navigate the complex political landscape. This threatens to dampen the optimism that surged across the nation just weeks ago.

While we wish the interim government’s success, some hard but necessary questions must be asked: Has the government adequately clarified its constitutional mandate? Has it laid out clear goals and provided a roadmap to achieve them? Most critically, does the government appear capable of fulfilling its primary responsibility — ensuring a smooth transition to a democratically elected government? The answers to these questions will determine whether the interim government’s legacy will be one of realized potential or missed opportunities.

Symbolism vs. Substance: Let us start by examining the composition of the government. The appointment of Nobel laureate Professor M. Yunus as the head of the interim administration was widely praised at home and abroad. At 84, Yunus remains a symbol of moral authority, offering a sense of stability and ethical leadership as the nation recovers from the shackles of autocracy. His presence reassures many that the country is in safe hands, at least symbolically.

However, the same level of confidence does not extend to many of Yunus’ advisors. Tasked with guiding the country through this critical transition, several advisors appear to lack the vigor and dynamism required for such a monumental responsibility. As the administration works to rebuild after the fall of the autocratic regime, serious questions arise about whether Yunus’ inner circle has the drive and competence needed to lead the country effectively. More importantly, do they inspire the confidence of the people that they are the right individuals for the job?

This is a pivotal issue because Yunus’ symbolic leadership alone is not enough to ensure the success of the interim government. The people are not just looking for symbols of change; they want tangible results. The success of this administration depends not only on Yunus’ ability to inspire but also on the competence and action-oriented mindset of those who surround him.

Reform commissions: One of the clearest signs of disorganization within the government has been the creation of six separate reform commissions. Was it truly necessary to establish so many? Wouldn’t a single commission with multiple subcommittees have been more efficient? Instead, this approach has led to confusion and overlapping mandates, creating uncertainty about the commissions’ roles and objectives.

For instance, the commissions on constitutional reform and electoral reform have been set up as separate entities, despite these two areas are deeply interconnected. How can one realistically address electoral reform without tackling constitutional issues, and vice versa? The separation of these commissions seems not only impractical but also counterproductive.

Concerns also arise regarding the leadership of these commissions. One chairperson was replaced almost immediately after being appointed, while another declined the role altogether, suggesting a lack of proper consultation before these appointments were made. Such hasty and poorly thought-out decisions do little to inspire confidence in the government’s planning and organizational capabilities.

Particularly troubling is the case of the constitutional reform commission. Initially headed by a legal scholar, the leadership was quickly shifted to a political scientist. While political science certainly has relevance to constitutional reform, shouldn’t the country’s highest legal framework be overseen by an eminent legal expert? Are we to believe that there are no qualified legal minds in the nation capable of steering this commission?

The delays in the commissions beginning their work further highlight the lack of preparation. Scheduled to start on October 1, their work was postponed because the government realized at the last minute that political parties needed to be consulted on potential reforms. This lack of foresight raises concerns about the government’s ability to handle complex reforms within the constraints of political realities.

The identity crisis: This brings us to a larger, more pressing question: What is the nature of this interim government? Is it a revolutionary government, tasked with implementing fundamental reforms as demanded by the student movement? Or is it simply a caretaker administration whose primary responsibility is to organize free and fair elections?

The student leaders installed the interim government through the presidential office without abrogating the constitution, choosing instead to work within its framework. A truly revolutionary government might have rewritten the constitution to chart a new direction for the nation. However, by choosing not to do so, the interim government has limited its ability to introduce sweeping changes.

Given these constraints, the government should focus on the most urgent reforms needed to ensure a free and fair election, leaving broader reforms for the next elected government to handle. Attempting to reform every area of governance may prove too ambitious and could lead to failure on all fronts.

Administrative missteps: The interim government has also made several poor administrative decisions, including reinstating civil servants dismissed by the previous regime for political reasons. While compensating these individuals for lost job and income may be fair, reappointing them to key positions after such long absences could disrupt the smooth functioning of the civil service. A more measured approach, such as creating an administrative commission to address their grievances, would have been a more effective solution.

In addition, the government canceled contractual appointments and forced many senior civil servants into compulsory retirement, leaving top-tier officials, especially those aligned with the former regime, feeling demoralized. To address the leadership gap, the government could consider a bold move: hiring a special batch of senior civil servants on an emergency basis through lateral entry. This would involve recruiting skilled individuals from outside the civil service — business leaders, civic society members, and others — for a temporary period, perhaps two years. Such an approach could bring fresh energy and ideas into the civil service, giving the government the strong leadership it currently lacks.

The dysfunction within the administration became further evident with the appointment of 59 deputy commissioners, eight of whom had their appointments revoked the following day due to external pressure. Scapples by disgruntled officers, coupled with allegations of corruption surrounding these appointments, have raised serious concerns about the government’s competence. The lack of swift action to address these issues sends mixed signals about the government’s ability to manage effectively.

The police force, deeply demoralized and corrupted under the previous regime, remains in complete disarray. Instead of attempting to reintegrate compromised officials, the government could consider recruiting a special batch of officers to restore the force’s integrity. This move would likely be seen as a positive step by the students who fought for quota reform and as an effort by the interim government to involve them in shaping the post-autocratic governance of the country. It would also inject fresh, reform-minded individuals into the much-criticized police force, helping to revitalize it.

The way forward: In conclusion, the interim government faces an urgent need to define its course. It must decide whether to embrace a bold, revolutionary path that fulfills the student movement’s aspirations or to act solely as a caretaker focused on organising elections. To move forward, the government must make critical choices: replace weak advisors with capable and courageous leaders, clarify its constitutional authority, and present a clear plan for the reforms it seeks to implement.

The government must also reinvigorate the civil and police administrations to restore public confidence and ensure stability during this crucial transition. The stakes are too high for indecision or half-hearted measures. The interim government must seize this revolutionary moment or risk letting a rare opportunity for transformative change slip away in vain.

Dr. Dowlah is a retired Professor of Economics and Law in the United States. Currently, he serves as the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Institute of Policy Studies.​

 

[Saif]

Govt won't allow anyone to benefit from religious sentiment: Asif

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sazeeb Bhuiyan today said many political parties have taken advantage in the past by using religious sentiments, but the interim government will not allow anyone to benefit from it

www.thedailystar.net

Govt won't allow anyone to benefit from religious sentiment: Asif

Photo: BSS

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sazeeb Bhuiyan today said many political parties have taken advantage in the past by using religious sentiments, but the interim government will not allow anyone to benefit from it.

He made the remarks while exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community at the puja mandaps at Gallamari Harichand Tagore Temple and Bagmara Gavinda Temple in Khulna marking the Durga Puja celebration.

The interim government, he said, is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all religions and maintaining communal harmony in the country.

"The rights of every individual are enshrined by the constitution and the government is dedicated to upholding these rights," he said.

Referring to the untoward incidents that took place at cultural event in Chattogram puja mandap and theft of goddess Kali's crown from Jashoreshori temple in Satkhira, the adviser said that the administration has already arrested the culprits and they will be brought to justice.

He warned against any sort of religious persecution or violence, saying all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, are equal under the constitution.

Asif said that no one would be allowed to inflict harm on any community based on religion.

"If such incidents occur, the government will bring the perpetrators to justice. I assure you, on behalf of the government, that offenders will be held accountable," he said.

Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam, Superintendent of Police TM Mossarraf Hossain and General Secretary of City Unit Puja Udjapon Parishad Proshanta Kumar Kundu, among others, were present.​

 

[Saif]

Govt forms 4 more commissions

The government has announced the formation of four new commissions to carry out reforms in the areas of mass media, health, labour rights, and women affairs.

www.thedailystar.net

Govt forms 4 more commissions
They will work on reforms to mass media, health, labour rights and women affairs

The government has announced the formation of four new commissions to carry out reforms in the areas of mass media, health, labour rights, and women affairs.

Journalist and columnist Kamal Ahmed will head the commission on mass media while National Professor Dr AK Azad Khan will lead the commission on health affairs.

Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, will oversee the commission on labour rights, and Shireen Parveen Haque, executive council member of Nari Paksha, will head the commission on women affairs.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan shared the decision of the advisory council at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday.

"We hope we will be able to inform you [journalists] about all the members of the four commissions within the next seven to 10 days," she said.

The commission chiefs have been tasked with preparing the lists of the members, the adviser added.

With these four new commissions, the interim government has so far formed 10 to carry out reforms to different sectors.

Talking about the issues discussed in yesterday's advisory council meeting, Rizwana said the list of martyrs of the July-August uprising came up for discussion.

"A verified list of the martyrs has already been prepared. We are facing difficulties in preparing the lists of the martyrs and the injured as instructions were given to remove documents [of the dead and injured] from hospitals. Despite having information [about the dead and the injured] from many places, we cannot cross-check those with the information at hospitals."

Apart from the verified list, the government has another list and the names included in it are currently being scrutinised, the adviser said.

Investigations into removal of documents from hospitals are underway, Rizwana said, adding that those responsible for removing documents will be brought to book.

Speaking at the briefing, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam said the advisory council has decided to provide Tk 30 lakh to each of the families of those martyred in the uprising.

"In the first phase, the government will provide Tk 30 lakh to the families of the martyred. Similar arrangements will be made for those who will be added to the list [of martyrs] after scrutiny."

The list of martyrs is being verified by the July Memorial Foundation, Mahfuj said.

He said the government will take initiatives next week to rehabilitate the injured.

Talking about media freedom, Rizwana said the government believes in freedom of the media. She, however, said the media should avoid spreading fake news or disinformation.

"We are not interfering in the freedom of speech in any way. This is our principle. You [journalists] are saying and writing whatever you want to say or write. However, some information is being distorted on social media with the aim to spread propaganda. Some false information is also being presented and boosted."

Asked whether a commission on reforms to education will be formed, the environment adviser said discussions on education reforms are going on to make the education system modern, effective, and time-befitting.

"Once a decision is reached, we will make an announcement," she said.

About the government's response to demonstrations by teachers to press home various demands, Rizwana said, "Those who are protesting have spokespersons. The government never closed its doors. The doors are open for those who are protesting."​

 

[Saif]

Asif Nazrul seeks apology for price hike of essentials

Apologising to the people for the price hike of essential commodities, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said the government is working hard and making joint efforts to improve the situation

www.thedailystar.net

Asif Nazrul seeks apology for price hike of essentials

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul. Star file photo.

Apologising to the people for the price hike of essential commodities, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said the government is working hard and making joint efforts to improve the situation.

"We are working very hard [to resolve the issue]. We are working together," he said.

The law adviser made the remarks when Daily Manabzamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury wanted to know about the issue during a programme titled "Ajker Songbadpotro" hosted by Channel I late last night.

Asif Nazrul said the impact of the floods is reducing and the winter is approaching. "We expect the situation will improve to a great extent. In some areas, the situation has already started improving," he added.

The law adviser said it was a syndicate involved in importing commodities during the previous government.

He acknowledged that the syndicate is very powerful, noting that it is not that much easy.

The government is trying its best to deal with the issues of essential commodities, he said.

He also highlighted the steps taken so far to cool down the market, Asif said.​

 

[Saif]

Yunus to hold talks with more political parties today

The Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, as part of the ongoing talks with stakeholders including political parties, will hold talks with another group of...

www.newagebd.net

Yunus to hold talks with more political parties today
Staff Correspondent 18 October, 2024, 19:16

Professor Muhammad Yunus | AFP file photo

The Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, as part of the ongoing talks with stakeholders including political parties, will hold talks with another group of political parties today.

Fifteen political parties and alliances, including Gono Forum, Liberal Democratic Party and Andaleeve Rahman-led Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Jatiyatabadi Samamana Jote, 12 Party Alliance, Jatiya Mukti Council, and Labour Party, are scheduled to join today’s dialogue.

‘The chief adviser will meet leaders of several political parties on Saturday as part of the ongoing dialogue with them,’ the Chief Adviser’s Office said in a statement on Friday.

The chief adviser’s deputy press secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, on Tuesday shared the schedule, saying that the dialogue was an ongoing process and any further decision would be communicated accordingly in this regard.

Today’s dialogue will be the second such dialogue in the second spell of talks that began on October 6 with the participation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the Jamaat-e-Islami, the Communist Party of Bangladesh, and some other political parties.

The key purpose of the dialogue is to inform the political parties about the progress of the reforms initiated by the interim government and seek their suggestions.

Formed after the August 5 fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime amid a student-led mass uprising, the Yunus-led interim government has taken the reform initiatives.

On September 12, the government formed six commissions to reform the electoral system, police, judiciary, public administration, constitution, and anti-corruption, and the commissions have already started their activities.

Four more reform commissions were formed on Thursday, aiming at reforms in the sectors involving health, mass media, workers’ rights, and women’s affairs.​

 

[Saif]

Next election in Bangladesh realistically possible by 2025: Asif Nazrul

Adviser for law, justice and parliamentary affairs Asif Nazrul said that the next national elections could be arranged by the next year after completing the pre-election preparations, including...

www.newagebd.net

Next election in Bangladesh realistically possible by 2025: Asif Nazrul
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 18 October, 2024, 10:34

Asif Nazrul | Collected photo

Adviser for law, justice and parliamentary affairs Asif Nazrul said that the next national elections could be arranged by the next year after completing the pre-election preparations, including formation of a new election commission through a search committee.

‘I think realistically, holding the election can be possible by the next year. There are many factors. This is a preliminary assumption to me,’ he said.

The adviser made the remarks when Daily Manabzamin editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury wanted to know about the election timing during a TV programme late Thursday night.

Asif said that a search committee would be formed soon to help form the new election commission. The new EC would then prepare a flawless voters’ list and then election would be held.

Responding to a question on ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, the adviser said that there was an extradition treaty with India and Hasina should be returned to Bangladesh if India obeyed by the treaty.

He said that it would be protested strongly from the Bangladesh side if India tried to talk about a provision that it was not done in ‘good faith’. ‘India is certainly bound to return Hasina if India honestly interprets this.’

Asif mentioned that he had never said that any journalist would be tried in the International Crimes Tribunal. It was a big misinterpretation of what he actually said in overall context.

He said that chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus held the most of the consultations with the student leaders and it was logically done.

The adviser acknowledged tremendous work pressure on him and he had enjoyed much freedom in the past compared to the current position.

Seeking apology to the people, who are suffering due to the price hike of essential commodities, the adviser said that the government was working hard and taking joint efforts to improve the situation.

‘I am seeking apology to you. I feel so bad. This is intolerable to us. We are working very hard.

We are working together,’ he said.

Asif said that the impact of the floods was reducing and the winter was approaching. ‘We expect the situation will improve to a great extent. In some areas, the situation has already started improving.

The adviser said that it was a syndicate, involved in importing commodities during the previous government. The syndicate was very powerful and not that much easy.

‘The government is doing in every possible way to deal with the issues of essential commodities and highlighted the steps taken so far in cooling down the market,’ Asif said.

The adviser acknowledged that the issue gave mental pains to all of them in the government.​

 

[Saif]

Action against those who file 'harassment' cases: home adviser

The adviser said instructions have also been given by the ministry in this regard

www.thedailystar.net

Action against those who file 'harassment' cases: home adviser

Photo: Collected

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today warned that action will be taken against those who file harassment cases.

"Appropriate action will be taken against those, who are filing cases against innocent people, threatening to sue them to extort money," the adviser said while addressing reporters during a visit at the Border Guard Bangladesh Rajshahi Sector Headquarters.

The adviser said instructions have also been given by the ministry in this regard.

Responding to a query that police have yet to start policing on field in full swing, the adviser said the situation of the police has improved a lot compared to the situation after August 5.

He said, "There was trauma among police. I cannot fix anything right away. But slowly the situation is improving. We have to give it a bit more time."

Responding to another query, He said there has been huge corruption not only in agricultural mechanisation but also in the field of fertilisers.

"We are investigating in this regard. Action will be taken against those who are guilty. Two people have already been taken into custody," said Jahangir, also the adviser to the agriculture ministry.

Asked whether the government has any information about Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, the home adviser said, "We do not have any specific information about them."

"However, if you have such information, you can help us with the information, in which case you will be rewarded," the adviser said addressing journalists.

He urged journalists to find out more information through investigative journalism.

The adviser said there was no government from August 5 to 7. At that time, most of the criminals fled the country, he claimed.

Replying to a query about the government's move to bring back Sheikh Hasina and Quader following the issuance of arrest warrants against them by the International Crimes Tribunal, Jahangir said the foreign adviser briefed the media in this regard.

"We have an agreement with India in this regard. We will definitely follow this agreement," he said.

BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddique, Rangpur Region Commander Brigadier General SM Zahidur Rahman, and Rajshahi Sector Commander Colonel Md Imran Ibne A Rouf were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the adviser addressed a darbar for the officers working in BGB Rajshahi Sector Headquarters and Rajshahi Battalion (BGB-1).​