SDGs to remain elusive sans 'inclusive politics'

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said Sunday inclusive political practice and budgetary allocations are a must for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets.
He commented that only creating a parliament is not democracy, holding a mere election is not inclusive political practice. People of all classes must get due share in power structure.
"Sustainable development and SDG goals and targets will not be achieved without inclusive politics," Mr Inu said while speaking at a seminar in Dhaka.
Citizen's Platform for SDG Bangladesh organised the seminar on 'Situation of the Dalit Community in Bangladesh in the context of SDGs' at the CIRDAP auditorium.
The information minister, also the chief of JSD, a left-leaning political party in the Awami League-led ruling coalition, noted that the motto of SDGs is 'leave no one behind' from development.
"So we can't leave anyone behind if we want to implement SDGs," he told the meet.
Member of General Economics Division (GED) at Planning Commission Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam said the term 'Dalit' is confusing for Bangladesh as there is no caste system here. The constitution of Bangladesh does not recognize caste system--Dalit is part of caste system.
He said the government allocated Tk 550 billion for oppressed, destitute, ultra poor and marginal people. All Dalit people are covered by these programmes.
Distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattachariya underscored the urgency of enacting a new law against inequality to ensure access to resources by all.
Inclusive development, ending income inequality, and ensuring equal opportunities for all in society are the catchphrases in the UN-declared development paradigm---SDGs-for all nations to pursue.

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