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

[Saif]

Uprising victims' families financial security state's responsibility: Yunus

Yunus said having this health card means that cardholders will get treatment at any government hospital in the country at any time, be it after a year or two

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Uprising victims' families financial security state's responsibility: Yunus

Photo: CA press wing

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today said the ensuring financial security of the families of the martyrs and the injured in the students-people's uprising is the state's responsibility.

"It is the responsibility of the state to ensure medical care for the wounded fighters. We will do that. The government will ensure their financial security," he said while inaugurating the distribution of health cards for them at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Dr Yunus said having this health card means that cardholders will get treatment at any government hospital in the country at any time, be it after a year or two. "This card will always be there."

In addition to this, he said, they have to think about the mental and social rehabilitation of the fighters injured in July.

"This needs to be given importance. Appropriate initiatives need to be taken so that these people can live happily and be established in society," said the Chief Adviser.

"In addition to healing physically through treatment, attention must also be paid to their mental health," Prof Yunus said.

The Ministry of Health said that health cards will be distributed to specific districts every week among the fighters injured in the July uprising.

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Prof Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, Information Adviser Nahid Islam, Health Secretary Md Sayedur Rahman and July Shaheed Smriti Foundation Chief Executive Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha and Secretary Sarjis Alam were, among others, present.​

 

[Saif]

CA press wing debunks Indian Zeenews report on Prof Yunus

A recent report of Indian Zeenews titled ‘DNA Exclusive: Analysing Mohammad Yunus’s Alleged Operation Octopus In Bangladesh’ is completely false and fabricated, says chief adviser’s press wing.

www.newagebd.net

CA press wing debunks Indian Zeenews report on Prof Yunus
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 01 January, 2025, 13:34

A screenshot of fake news published by Indian Zeenews | BSS photo

A recent report of Indian Zeenews titled ‘DNA Exclusive: Analysing Mohammad Yunus’s Alleged Operation Octopus In Bangladesh’ is completely false and fabricated, says chief adviser’s press wing.

‘The news item published in India’s Zeenews is completely false and fabricated,’ the press wing said in a statement posted on its verified Facebook page – CA Press Wing Facts – yesterday.

It claimed that the news item was a part of a well-calibrated propaganda campaign launched by the Indian media against the Professor Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh.

‘We categorically deny every content of the story and request all not to pay any attention to such propaganda carried out with ill intentions to destabilise Bangladesh,’ the statement read.

Soon after assuming the leadership of the interim government, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus invited Indian media to visit Bangladesh and report events from the ground.

Unfortunately, the CA press wing said even some of the respected Indian media have decided not to respond and instead kept on inventing stories by conveniently quoting unnamed sources.​

 

[Saif]

Future of the nation depends on interim govt's success

Security issues in public life have taken a nosedive in recent months. Financial insecurity of the people at the moment, though, is not of recent origin. In fact, it is a legacy from the past, ousted government. But far from improving, it has only worsened over the past months since the political c

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Future of the nation depends on interim govt's success
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Jan 05, 2025 22:07
Updated :
Jan 05, 2025 22:07

Security issues in public life have taken a nosedive in recent months. Financial insecurity of the people at the moment, though, is not of recent origin. In fact, it is a legacy from the past, ousted government. But far from improving, it has only worsened over the past months since the political changeover of August 5 last year. One can produce a hundred and one reasons as to why this is so. In most cases, those reasons may be genuine. But struggling in their day-to-day lives to make both ends meet, the common people who put all their hopes on the present interim government that it would finally be able to end all their miseries in no time has not happened. Some irreversible distortions to market structure already done during the 15 plus years of intervention by party thugs and cronies of the powers that be in the administration and businesses cannot be expected to be fixed overnight. Neither can the vested interests created during all the past years of despotism and firmly ensconced in the system be cleaned within months of the new government however well-intentioned it might be. But the common people with their back to the wall, thanks to unrelenting price hike of basic commodities and their fast-eroding purchasing power under the inflationary pressure that is showing no sign of relenting, cannot also be expected to be consoled with only sweet words. Worse yet, it is not only the growing financial insecurity that is their sole concern. Deterioration of law and order is yet another issue that is threatening the security of their lives. Though providing security in public life rests on the law enforcing agencies, so far, their performance in recent months has been nothing to write home about. Consider the disturbing show of strength reportedly by a juvenile gang of hoodlums, or what they are popularly called, kishore gang (teenage gang) in broad daylight in Cumilla town right under the nose of the police only demonstrates how inefficient and unprepared the police are to respond to any emergency related to law and order in time. Here again, the police authorities have very genuine arguments to justify their failures. In this connection, the home adviser recently spoke acknowledging many shortcomings of the police for reasons well-known to the public. On the issue of, for instance, combating crimes like the rising frequency of muggings and murders in the capital city, he said, the police are yet to be familiar with the nooks and crannies of the city to effectively free the city of petty or serious crimes. That means, due to ongoing restructuring of the police following August 5's mob attacks against them, many members of the Dhaka police are new here. So, it would take time before they are acclimatised with the city to play their expected role in combating city's crime efficiently. Perhaps, the same is the picture elsewhere in the country. The police are also in short supply of essential equipment including transport vehicles, walkie-talkies, etc., required to maintain law and order. When it comes to weapons and ammunition lost including small and light machine guns, pistols, shotguns, gas guns, teargas shells and launchers, stun grenades and so on were destroyed. Notably, a significant portion of those were lost during the violent mass uprising when out of some 664 police stations across the nation, 450 were set on fire. Amid such arson attacks large quantities of the crime-fighting gadgets and equipment were lost, it was informed. According to the police headquarters, during the uprising 5,750 firearms, 651,609 bullets were missing. With a note of reassurance, it was further informed that the process was on to procure those essential weapons and gadgets and get the stock replenished. Meanwhile, between August and November last year, 464 robbery cases were lodged with the police. In comparison, the number of murder cases filed in those months were alarmingly high at around 1937. However, the police headquarters said that cases against most of those incidents of crime as shown in the police records did actually take place during the previous government. Which is why the number (of criminal cases) looks so high. But that is hardly a good excuse because as it usually happens a large number of such criminal incidents often goes unreported. Had those also been reported and duly recorded, the number would be far higher. Now, the question the concerned citizens would like to ask the home adviser is why is the government so slow to address such an emergency like law and order? When it is a matter of physical security of the citizens, the response, however challenging, should have been prompter. As there is a government, the citizens would like to see some of its serious efforts and actions proving to be a deterrent to such crimes.

In fact, they want to see immediate result. The interim government is indeed in a tight spot to deliver in line with the popular expectations. But so far, the progress of the government in meeting the urgent requirements of people--- be it in the sphere of personal security or that of financial one--- is hardly reassuring. Naturally, the public's resentment is growing against the government. Unsurprisingly, the quarters within the system and outside it, who want to see the government fail, are no doubt contributing to make that happen. The situation calls for a unity among all the forces and their support for the interim government to bring about the much sought-after change in society.​

 

[Saif]

HC rejects petition challenging formation of interim govt

The HC bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi passed the rejection order, saying that the petition is "malicious" and "unacceptable" as the interim government was formed and sworn in under the opinion of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

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HC rejects petition challenging formation of interim govt

The High Court today summarily rejected a petition that challenged the process for formation and oath of Professor Muhammad Yunus-led interim government under the Supreme Court opinion which was delivered following the president's reference.

The HC bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi passed the rejection order, saying that the petition is "malicious" and "unacceptable" as the interim government was formed and sworn in under the opinion of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

The Appellate Division has delivered the opinion following the reference sent by the president of the republic under article 106 of the constitution, and therefore, there should not be any question about the legality of the interim government's formation and taking oath, the HC bench said.

Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Mohsen Rashid filed the petition with the HC in November last year, saying the reference sent by the president to the SC was not valid as no prior notice was issued to this effect.

He also said in the petition that SC judges haven the opinions under duress.

Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque told The Daily Star that there is no scope for any debate about legality of the formation of the interim government and its oath taking after the HC order.

On August 9 last year, SC Registrar General Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan told The Daily Star that the interim government was formed after the full bench of the apex court gave its opinion in favour of considering the country's prevailing situation as President Mohammed Shahabuddin sought an opinion from the Appellate Division of the SC before forming the interim government.

On August 8, President Shahabuddin administered oath to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and the advisers to the interim government.

Aziz Ahmed said the full Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan gave the opinion after the president sought it through the law ministry.

The other six judges of the bench are Justice M Enayetur Rahim, Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, Justice Md Abu Zafor Siddique, Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim, Justice Md Shahinur Islam and Justice Kashefa Hussain.

The Appellate Division in its opinion said that the president can form the interim government during the current situation as there is no parliament now and the prime minister earlier resigned from office, SC Registrar General Bhuiyan said on that day.​

 

[Saif]

Interim government to take nation forward thru unity: Chief Adviser

Chief Adviser professor Muhammad Yunus today reiterated that the interim government would take the nation forward through unity

en.prothomalo.com

Interim government to take nation forward thru unity: Chief Adviser
BSS
Published: 16 Jan 2025, 18: 45

Chief Adviser professor Muhammad Yunus today reiterated that the interim government would take the nation forward through unity.BSS

"...because the government was born amid unity; it was created through unity. When we work alone and see no one is beside us, we feel weak a bit. And when you all sit together, we get courage in mind that we remain united. We were born amid unity and the unity is our strength," he said while delivering his opening speech at a meeting with political parties here.

The interim government, led by chief adviser Prof Yunus, is holding the all-party conference over the proposed July Proclamation at the Foreign Service Academy.

Mentioning that the government gets rejuvenated through unity, Prof Yunus said one day, the students of the July revolution came to him and told him that they would make a declaration - the July Proclamation.

"I tried to understand what proclamation they are going to make. I told them that it would not happen," he said, adding that he advised the students to make the proclamation involving all stakeholders of the July revolution.

Noting that the aim of the today's meeting is to finalise the July Proclamation in unison, the chief adviser said if it could not be made unitedly, they do not need to announce it.

Stating that the nation remained united, he pledged that he would maintain the unity as long as his interim government would remain in power.

"We must go on this path. Give us this courage. Today, I feel courage by sitting with you again," he added.

Prof Yunus said if the July proclamation could be declared through unity, it would be good for the country and become good internationally too, showing the countrymen and the world that the unity of the nation remains solid.

The all-party meeting began at the Foreign Service Academy aiming to finalise proclamation of the July Revolution.

On 14 January, adviser Mahfuj Alam at a press briefing said that the council of advisers formulated a draft of the July Proclamation and held talks with some political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and many stakeholders to get their opinions.

He hoped that an all-party meeting on Thursday would reach a consensus to finalise the document of July Proclamation.​

 

[Saif]

Current dynamics of the economy, reform and elections

While the interim government’s intention to tackle political and economic challenges is commendable, the task appears daunting.

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Current dynamics of the economy, reform and elections

FILE VISUAL: ALIZA RAHMAN

The student-led mass movement in July-August 2024 marked a significant turning point in Bangladesh's sociopolitical and economic history. This movement emerged in response to widespread grievances among people from all walks of life. Unemployment reached alarming levels, leaving millions of youth disenchanted and directionless. Under the false narrative of a growth miracle, economic discrimination further deepened societal divides, with wealth concentrated in the hands of a few while the majority struggled to make ends meet. The absence of democracy was palpable, with limited opportunities for citizens to express their choices through free and fair elections. Fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, were systematically curtailed, fostering an environment of fear and suppression. Corruption was pervasive across all levels of governance, eroding public trust and stifling economic, social, and political progress.

In the wake of the movement, an interim government was formed amid high expectations from all quarters. It was entrusted with the dual responsibilities of steering the nation towards economic stability and implementing political and institutional reforms. However, that journey has been fraught with challenges.

Political parties wholeheartedly supported the interim government and displayed prudence by appreciating its efforts to address the country's accumulated problems over decades. However, as time progresses, some have called for the national election as soon as possible as the reform process continues simultaneously. The students—aspiring to form their political entity and participate in the upcoming national election—favour delaying elections until substantial reforms are implemented. It is widely believed that students desperately need time to organise their parties, which has so far proven to be tough for them. Many citizens, who have had enough of the defective and dysfunctional political system that gave rise to autocracy and rampant corruption undermining all rights, also want the election after substantive reforms.

Several reform commissions were established to chart a path towards a democratic and just society. Their recommendations addressed critical issues, including constitutional, electoral, anti-corruption, and police reforms. Other commissions are also set to place their recommendations to the chief adviser. However, implementing these recommendations requires political consensus and commitment—a daunting task given the divergence of positions on reforms and the interests of political parties.

The proposals of some commissions, particularly those regarding the constitutional reform, have given rise to many discussions as to which proposal recommendations should be included and which should not. Removing secularism as a pillar of the constitution, reducing the minimum age of election candidates to 21 years, and introducing a two-tier parliament with a national assembly and senate are some of the issues that sparked debates, reflecting the diverse perspectives within the nation. Such debates are healthy and can contribute to refining the proposals. Moreover, as reform is a continuous process, there should always be opportunities for improvement.

A close observation of the current discussions of reforms and elections in Bangladesh reveals that some are trying to sequence these two crucial tasks: reforms first, then the election. But in reality, the interplay between reforms and elections cannot be phased. Reform and elections are not mutually exclusive—both can be pursued in parallel. Reform is a prolonged and iterative process. It is also an ongoing endeavour that spans years, even decades. Elections, on the other hand, provide a mechanism for citizens to express their choices and hold leaders accountable. Hence, discussions that implicitly suggest that reforms should only be done after the national election don't hold water. This reminds us of the futile debate by Awami League politicians and some intellectuals about development and democracy, aimed at promoting their corrupt development model and undermining the importance of democracy.

Amid the political complexities, economic challenges have persisted. Inflation remained high at 10.89 percent in December 2024, eroding the ordinary citizens' purchasing power. Private and foreign investment stagnated due to an unfavourable business environment. Investor uncertainty about the political situation remains high. The tax-GDP ratio, a critical indicator of fiscal health, remained dismally low at less than eight percent, while the implementation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) lagged behind targets. Meanwhile, the World Bank has projected that economic growth during the ongoing FY2024-25 will be 4.1 percent. Even without the World Bank's prediction, economists can say that such low growth is not unexpected during a turbulent year when investment and production were low, and severe floods hampered economic activities.

Although an increase in exports and remittances halted the freefall of foreign exchange reserves, the overall volume of forex reserves remained insufficient to support robust import growth. Depreciation of the taka further compounded economic difficulties, raising the cost of imports and hindering investments and production. Meanwhile, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) struggles to meet its revenue collection targets, exacerbating fiscal constraints. Missing the NBR target has persisted for about a decade due to high tax evasions, a narrow tax net, illicit financial flows, and several undue tax exemptions to specific business groups, organisations, and individuals over several years. The perceived fear among the public of complexities and harassment by the tax department, and the lack of adequate services in return for tax contributions, further discourage compliance. The government's limited fiscal space also curtailed its ability to expand social safety nets for the poor and low-income households, which are most vulnerable to inflationary pressures.

The interim government expanded its responsibilities to encompass a wide array of issues within a limited period. Though, initially, the interim government's tenure was unclear, many felt that an unelected and non-political government consisting of well-meaning but inexperienced people—some of whom ran non-government organisations (NGOs) while others were senior retired bureaucrats—cannot govern the country for long unless backed by the military. Along with political uncertainty and economic challenges, the law and order situation weakened and must be improved to ensure people's safety. Rent-seeking, corruption, bribes, and administrative hassles have not disappeared either.

Although public expectations for the interim government have been initially high, it is evident that patience is waning due to the slow pace of progress on these pressing issues.

Uncertainty about the fate of reform proposals is also a critical issue. A national consensus commission, led by the chief adviser, plans to engage with political parties and stakeholders to identify areas of consensus and recommend actions. This is critical since the reform agenda will have to be implemented by the elected government. However, concerns over the implementation of reform proposals remain. Will the elected government accept reform recommendations fully or partially? What if the elected government sets aside the reform proposals altogether and designs its reform agenda conveniently? What will be the oversight and accountability mechanism for implementing reforms?

While the interim government's intention to tackle political and economic challenges is commendable, the task appears daunting. Striking a balance between the demands of reform, the organisation of a free andfair election, and economic recovery has thus far proven to be a formidable challenge for it.

Dr Fahmida Khatun is executive director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.​

 

[Saif]

Interim govt will restore people’s voting rights: Moyeen hopes

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Wednesday said they believe that the Interim Government will bring back the voting rights of the people. “The current interim government is the government of the people. We believe that the important respons

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Interim govt will restore people’s voting rights: Moyeen hopes
BSS
Published :
Jan 22, 2025 18:39
Updated :
Jan 22, 2025 18:39

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Wednesday said they believe that the Interim Government will bring back the voting rights of the people.

“The current interim government is the government of the people. We believe that the important responsibility entrusted with them for restoring the voting rights of the people will be materialized,” he hoped.

Moyeen Khan said this after paying floral wreath at the grave of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar here with leaders and activists of the UK BNP chapter this afternoon.

UK BNP Vice President Abed Raja was present among others.

Moyeen Khan said BNP will reestablish the democracy for which Bangladesh became independent in 1971.

Calling upon the government to hold national elections as soon as possible, the senior BNP leader said, “I hope, the government will quickly complete the reforms in important sectors and return state power to the representatives of the people.”

“That’s why BNP is cooperating with the government in every possible way so that it can properly fulfill its important responsibility for restoring the rights of the people,” he said.

Stating that the Awami League leaders was forced to flee due to the student-people movement, Moyeen Khan said, their fleeing is not new, like 2024 they fled in 1971, leaving the people at gunpoint of Pakistani occupying forces.

The senior BNP leaders said that the Awami League government cheated with the people of Bangladesh for the past 15 years, although they claimed to be a pro-independence force.

“In fact, Awami League is a force against the country’s independence,” he said.

Moyeen Khan said AL killed democracy after independence and formed one-party rule in 1975.

“Awami League established an unwritten BAKSAL in the country in the last 15 years,” he said.​

 

[Saif]

Interim govt failing to maintain neutrality on some issues: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the interim government to perform its duties impartially, alleging it of failing to maintain neutrality on some issues

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Interim govt failing to maintain neutrality on some issues: Fakhrul

File photo

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the interim government to perform its duties impartially, alleging it of failing to maintain neutrality on some issues.

"Yesterday, in an interview, I said if the interim government can't remain impartial, a neutral government will be required during the elections. There is a reason for making this statement. We observe that the interim government is unable to maintain neutrality on several issues," he said while addressing a discussion today.

He urged the interim government to carry out its responsibilities impartially and address the problems the country is currently facing.

The Shaheed Asad Parishad organised the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club to mark the 56th martyrdom anniversary of student leader Asaduzzaman, who became a symbol of resistance during the mass uprising against the then Pakistani autocratic ruler Ayub Khan in 1969.

On January 20, 1969, Asad, a hero of the 1969 mass upsurge, was shot and killed by the Pakistani police during a protest rally near Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

Fakhrul said the government should arrange the election as soon as possible after carrying out the necessary minimum reforms. "The government to be formed through that election would be able to fulfill the commitments made to people and work to meet the public's aspirations."

The BNP leader claimed that his party is seeking the election not merely to go to power, but because he fears that evil forces may exploit the situation if the election is unnecessarily delayed.

He also said all political parties agree on the necessity of holding elections, as it is the gateway to the democratic system.

Fakhrul said some people are saying the government should hold the election only after reforms. "But, should we wait four to five years or until the reforms are completed? People would be deprived of their voting rights for another long period."​