an ordinary citizen

When the present caretaker government came to power on the backdrop of 1/11 everyone was delighted and all were relieved of the tension of conflicting election and its consequences.
The new government declared its objectives of conducting a free fair election acceptable to all and a society free from corruption. (more…)

I was reading an article in Prothom Alo written by Asif Nazrul, a professor of Dhaka University, Law Department where he said that Govt took very hard stand for the trial of the corruption cases. He accused that the measures taken by the government violates the human rights. (more…)

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Caretaker Government Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmedin a televised address[Summary][Full text] last night has given his given his long waited speech where it was supposed that he would touch political dialogue, national election by December, withdrawal of the emergency rule,necessary reform in the political parties, continuation of the constitutional reforms etc. In his address he touched most of the points except the release or participation of Hasina and Khaleda Zia in the dialogue. (more…)

Recently Chief Adviser said, ‘Form of this Government has no relation with the price hike of the essentials’. On the other both AL and BNP top leaders are claiming that they would have bring down the price of rice if they be in power, one claiming even to Tk 10 per Kg.

Dr. Ali Akbar Khan, ex Adviser of the last Caretaker Government told that usually famine occurs during the period of non-elected government.. (more…)

Chief Adviser of Caretaker Government Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed unveiled the women’s developmental policy on International Women’s Day on 8^th March 2008 .[...]

It set aside one-third of parliamentary seats for women and suggested arrangment for direct election to the reserved seats. It also suggested appointment of an adequate number of women, if necessary, under the related section of the constitution to the highest-level of Cabinet Division and the policy-making level of the administration

(more…)

Bangladesh is discussing about deep sea port since long. The last BNP govt took initiative to study the feasibility of a deep sea port. But it did not go further.

Dr. Mohammad Yunus, our Nobel laureate, in late 2006 and early 2007, in the loudest voice and in full conviction pronounced the need of a deep sea port. He also demanded setting up of a mega-port in Chittagong for exploring the potential of the area and bringing economic development.

With facilities for docking larger vessels the mega port could turn this region into a commercial hub of international standard benefiting all users, said the Nobel laureate. (more…)

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed has said recently that Caretaker Government (CTG) is focused on the election to be held by December 2008.

CTG, after coming to power in the backdrop of 1/11 with relief to the people and with high hopes, declared objective of holding a free and free election in corruption free environment.

By this time, CTG has taken some reform measures in the Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Service Commission, Judiciary etc which are told as revolutionary changes in the context of Bangladesh and Bangladesh politics.

So far, no governments of any political party took these basic measures which were written in their manifestos and frequently uttered in their speeches. It is beyond doubt that one of the major achievements of the present government is the reforms that they have made in different constitutional institutions.

Other than its failure to control hectic price of the essential commodities, the government also fail to make any reform in the political parties.

Though there was initially some attempts for reform in the political parties, that didn’t continued. Rather the reformist groups in the major political parties’ compromise with the non-reformist group in the parties.

Though the EC is trying to have a change in the structure of the political parties, so far no significant change happen. The party leaders are more interested in having the elections as early as possible and release of their leaders. At times, they are not even considering completion of new voter list as a precondition for election.

But without necessary reform and changes of attitude in the political parties, the continuity of the reform process will not be ensured as it is the political parties, who will keep the reform continued.

It is said that reform should be the concern of the political parties themselves but it is the Caretaker Government who will be responsible for ultimate success or failure for continuation of the reform process.

The ordinary citizen worried that necessary reform yet not established in the political parties without which other constitutional reforms will not be sustained.

An ordinary citizen

He came to the focus of attention of people when 3 chiefs of army before 1/11 met with the President Iajuddin and urged him to dissolved the past care taker government and made the background for Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to take oath as the Chief Adviser of the new caretaker government and end one of the chaotic stage of our history.

It was understood that the new caretaker government is blessed with the support of the powerful Army of Bangladesh.

Later he became vocal in expressing his thoughts and ideas in different meeting with the army or in public gatherings. Some of his ideas which created much discussions are his thoughts on Bangabandhu Sk. Mujibur Rahman and ex-Presdient Ziaur Rahman and to put them in true perspective of the history. The moves in this respect was appreciated by all.

The other issues which also stirred the nation was his comment on the trail of the war criminals where he says that they should be tried. Though similar ideas was expressed by the Chief Adviser, but the present government so far couldn’t materialize the idea due to legal and political complexities.

He was always vocal against corruptions and said many a times that this government will make the country and politics corruption free.
But his comments on the bankers where he said that the bankers are creating panic among the business communities caused resentment.

During the devastating floods of mid 2007, he visited the flood hit areas, personally distributed the relief and lamented the political parties for their reluctance in participation in the relief work. He spared time to collect donations from different individuals and organizations for the flood victims.

Regarding the relation between the Army and present caretaker government, he emphasized that the army is not running the country. It is a civil government as permitted by the constitution and the Army is doing what it is asked to do by the government.

When Barrister Moinul Hussain, ex Law Adviser of the present CTG once said that this government is army backed civil government, he instantly opposes the idea. Though in the public perception there is always an integration of Army in the present caretaker government.

The best acceptable philosophy on the composition of the present care taker government was expressed by Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in his address in the UN Assembly where he said that the present government is an example of civil-military cooperation which may be followed by other developing countries. General Moeen didn’t contradict his version.

Few weeks later General Moeen himself went on a visit to USA and in addition to his official attendance he met Bangladeshi communities and the press where he answered frequent questions on Bangladesh. He denied any aspiration of him of becoming the Chief of the state. In reply to a question of Sajib Wajed, he said that he will be glad more than anyone   if Hasina come out of the trial innocent.

A controversy regarding his loan from a bank was at the same time a prime issue among the bloggers, the allegation which he denied. The ordinary citizen could not make the end of it.

In Sidr, General Moeen and Chief Adviser FAA made several visits to the affected area and General Moeen urged the political parties to participate with all out efforts in support of the affected people.

He recently reiterated that Army will play important roles in conducting fair election as designed by the caretaker government.

He again said that he has no intention to become the President of the country

But people is not at ease even after his repeated assurance of not coming to power.

In the launching ceremony of his book ‘Selected Collections by Moeen U Ahemd’ he said that Bangladesh needs its own brand of democracy as it could not follow the Westminster type of democracy correctly and in full. But he didn’t go into details of his ideas of the new brand of democracy for Bangladesh. He is also hopeful of unity in national crisis as the nation already showed unity in crisis like sidr.

He is in favour of National Security Council. When asked earlier, he said that when time comes, he will comment on the issue.

Does the time come?

But I shall never forget a comment by bjoernlasse in one of my blog post long before where he/she said ‘its a play with the fire - and this situation is not unique to Bangladesh. There were many countries with a similar situation ending in somewhat of a fascist dictatorship. Lets hope that the military really is this open minded and self sacrificing regime : for the people. It would really be great if your connotation is true.’

An ordinary citizen

I came to know him only when he became the Adviser of the last Caretaker Government in November 2006. From his resume, we are informed that he was secretary of different important ministries including finance and cabinet.

It soon proved that he was one of the influential Adviser the last CTG. He is outspoken and impressive since then.

I am impressed when I heard that he was a freedom fighter. Probably that has given him the confidence which is visibly expressed in his deliberations.

Only few weeks after joining, he resigned from his post of adviser along with three of his colleagues on policy difference as he explained it. It would have been better if he predicted the inevitable before joining.

Though he resigned, he attained a public image by that time. He turned himself as an expert to the public eye on present political issues and in short time he became a media personality.

He almost always is a guest of honour in discussion of different forums, in round table conferences and in talk shows. The opinion expressed by him always carry weight and is given good coverage by the media. Now, he is one of the most quoted men in the press.

Because of his experience and authority, he is taken up by the present Caretaker Government and is made the chairman of the Reform Commission. The Reform Commission is formed to rectify the age old regulations that hinders the business, service and governance as a whole.

In a meeting with Chief Adviser of the CTG recently, he suggested to publish the recommendations in the website so that people and experts can participate in the process.I personally liked the idea very much but the government didn’t materialize it so far.Dr. Akbar Ali Khan recently threatened that if the government does not publish it, he will publish it by himself.

I never heard whether a Commission can publish its recommendations without permission of the government by whom it was appointed.

He cares little for his bosses. He is the boss himself.

He recently said that the tenure of CTG is only of three months according to our constitution(which may embarrass the government) which is in contradiction to the opinion of other legal experts including Dr. Kamal Hussain. He also suggested that the CTG is a non elected government; they should not stay in power for longer period and they should hand over the power to the political government as soon as possible.

Is he a left or right or in between? A man of his stature should not be judged by this simple labeling.

Is he in the government or outside? Is he for the government or against? One may feel confused.

But I still like him.

An ordinary citizen

After 1/11, when the present Caretaker Government (CTG) started arresting the politicians, most of them were from BNP, AL appreciated the move of the new government. When the CTG started arresting a few leaders of AL, AL tried to explain to the public that government is trying to balance the sheet.

BNP took the move as an attempt by the new government to crush the party.

General public was also under the illusion that the new government is more anti-BNP than anti-AL. The illusion was created more because of the speeches of the Chief of Army where he expressed his intention to declare Sk Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation and set the history in its true form.

The new government continued its arrest spree and more and more AL leaders were arrested along with BNP leaders, few businessmen and some beaucrates. Government reiterated its stand that it is against all sorts of corruption by the politicians or by anybody else. As the advisers told the politicians are the leaders of the country, they are mainly responsible for the corruption prevailed in the country and they had created the environment for others to compel to adopt the corruption for them.

Government gradually increased its pressure on more powerful and son of a prime minister was arrested.

When allegation of corruption floated against the ex-prime ministers, one was heard to say that she had enough wealth from her parents and she didn’t touch any money by herself.

The political parties they belong also couldn’t accept the arrests. Acting President of AL Zillur Rahman many a times told that Hasina can’t involve in any corruption. He also told that arresting her is a conspiracy.

BNP leaders though took measures to reform the party and to make some changes in the party constitution, they also didn’t speak anything about the corruption of the party leaders. None of the factions told that there will no place of the corrupted leaders in the party. Rather strong allegations of corruption are there against the top leaders of the two factions.

Recently I had a talk with a close associate of a top party leader. He said that as there was corruption, there was flow of money. All the parties of a business deal would have been benefited from the deal. He asserted as there is no benefit now, the ADP is minimally implemented in the FY.

With the perception, politicians are above corruption and corruption is a necessity, how Bangladesh dreams of a country free of corruption in future?

An ordinary citizen

Caretaker government falls into second year of its governance after passing through a year of ups and down.

The year started with great hope and some reforms  have been done in different sectors but failed to control price of the essentials within the reach of the common people, the inflation increased and investment decreased.

Government kept continued their drive against the corruption amid opposition from political parties and had to arrest hundreds of political leaders including two ex-prime ministers.

It had to overcome two massive floods and one devastating cyclone, in each occasion with little political support and each time with chance of failure on the side of the government.

And government also had to overcome a student unrest which arises out of the clash between the armed forces and some students in the Dhaka University where the teachers also become involved.

It had also changed its strategy to deal with two ex-prime ministers and ultimately put them behind the bar and legal procedures are gong on against them.

Government also overcome workers unrest in garment sectors through negotiations and timely intervention and the labors dissatisfaction in jute mills didn’t turn into violence.

Though the 6 JMB leaders were hanged, no untoward incident occurs in reaction and Special Forces were active against the Islamic terrorist through out the year.

But no political reform took place in the parties and continuity of reforms and continuity of campaign against corruption remain uncertain.

With an experience of one year and a little maturity, will the  government follow a policy of compromise or consolidation?

But government must be tactful in its approach to deal with different issues. One of the issues where government should be more prudent is about the university issue. The arrest of the teachers and students diverted or submerged the issue of teachers and students politics which was more important to be addressed by the caretaker government.

And Government must keep the economy it its control and not burden itself with new agendas.

An ordinary citizen

News Link:
BDnews:CA promises dialogue with parties
BDnews:Highlights of CA’s speech
Full Text: CA’s address to the Nation.pdf

An ordinary citizen

Links from personal reading:

1. Anniversary at crossroads

2. Looking back, looking forward

3. Government scorecard a mixed bag

4. One year of Caretaker Government

An ordinary citizen

Reshuffle of the cabinet took place with 5 new advisers’ sworn in in place of 5 advisers’ who resigned earlier. Among the five, except Ayub Quardi, adviser for education and cultural affairs, four others didn’t resign by their own self.It would be interesting speculation who made the four advisers to resign.

The ordinary citizen is not an insider rather he is a distant observer of the event. The following is a mere hunch by him to understand the inside of the story.

To make resign four advisers’ is not a one man’s job. Neither the Advisory Council took the decision collectively against the four colleagues of them.

It is likely that a strong decision making body took the step to overcome the present difficulties through which the caretaker Government is passing.

I am remembering the speech of the Chief Adviser on the 27th September 2007 in the General Assembly of UN where he said,

‘Bangladesh represents an effective model of civil-military cooperation in crisis prevention.Our experience in crisis management could be relevant for many crisis torn, nascent democracies’.

I was also following a round table discussion, organised by Prothom Alo, the leading daily, which held on 5th January 2008 on the different policy suggestions for the Caretaker Government where the proposal for dropping some advisers was placed in a more consolidate way. Not unlikely that some from the citizen groups may contribute as policy makers for the decision making body of the present government or they themselves form part of the decision makers.

If the failure to run the ministries effectively is the cause of resignation of the 3 advisers, for Barister Moinul Hussain the matter may be different; may be it is policy conflict; as he materialized successfully some very important agenda of the government including the separation of judiciary amid much opposition and criticism from the political parties and others.

The perfectness of the decision will be judged by the future events and on the achievement of the transition of power to the democratic forces through a free fair election in a corruption free environment.

An ordinary citizen

No cause was formally mentioned for resignation of the 4 advisers except ‘personal reasons’.

None of the four advisers acknowledged anything earlier as their failure or any policy difference with the government which led them to resign. Rather all of them gave this aura that they tried to the best of their capability to serve the government and the country. They were busy to the last minute with their schedule of the day.

It is in contrast to the resignation of Ayub Quadri, Adviser for Education and Cultural Affairs who himself acknowledged the blame for the theft of the artifacts at Zia Airport and resigned

Then why the resignation

So it could be predicted that they resigned not by themselves, they were asked to resign.

Why they were asked to resign

Dr. Akbar Ali Khan said that changing the advisers is a routine work of the government. He is sure that it is not due to policy difference and he thought either the advisers resigned by themselves or they were asked to resign which a government can do. He also said that he is not worried about the resignation of the advisers rather he is worried about the attainment of the objectives for which the government came to the power. He opined that a non-elected government should not stay longer than necessity and holding a fair and free election should be its objective. He insisted that this government shouldn’t be failed.

Media are pointing as the causes of their resignations to the failure on the part of the advisers to improve the situations in their respective ministries and controversies they have created by comments on different issues

As for Major General (Rt) Motiur Rahman there was no major change in the set up of the ministry of health and its different organizations and there was lack of efficiency the management of haj pilgrimages this year .

For Geeteara Safiya Choudhury, media is pointing to the decision on the closure of the jute mills. But the decision of the closure of the jute mills was a policy decision of the Caretaker Government which followed the policy of the earlier governments on the advice of the Word Bank and IMF and for which an individual adviser should be blamed. Her comment on the scarcity of the fertilizer resented the media but not enough to be the reason for her resignation. The cause may be rather her depth of efficiency in the overall management of the ministries she was responsible for.

The major failure of this government is to control the price of the essentials and to ensure food security. One shouldn’t blame the Food Adviser Tapan Choudhury only for this failure as many more factors are integrated with this state of the market. The situation is more related with the ministry of finance rather than ministry of food. But the comment Adviser Tapan Choudhury made on the price of the rice in the recent past in the backdrop of food crisis was really embarrassing for the government.

The case of Barrister Moinul Hussain is a little bit different. He was virtually the speaker of the government policy and programs to the media and to the public. One of the major achievements of this government of separating Judiciary from Executives was done under his direct supervision. He was also an outspoken proponent for the campaign against corruption; he was against the old style of politics and political leaders and for reform in the political parties. He was also rigid to try and then to consider the university teachers who were arrested in relation to the DU violence. He was strongly against the trial of the war criminals during the tenure of this government on the argument that this will overburden the government and deviate it from its main objective of holding a free and fare election. For all his stands and speeches, he was much discussed in the media and much criticized from different sections including the politicians. So, with his departure will there be any major policy change in the government?

In conclusion

The major shake up of the Advisory Council may be an attempt to face lift by the government. Any change by itself does not mean good unless it could bring positive result.

The criticism of the government will not be lessened with top party leaders in the jail and will continue until the Caretaker Government handover the power to an elected government.

An ordinary citizen