JS ends a discriminatory privilege

Doing away with the decades-long discriminatory special privilege of importing duty-free car as enjoyed by the lawmakers has indeed been a historic move made by parliament. The Bill titled, the 'Members of Parliament and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2026', as placed in the Jatiya Sangsad by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman was passed by a voice vote last Sunday (April 26). The bold move taken by the Leader of the House will definitely remain as a milestone in the parliamentary history of the country. The opposition also supported the move to discontinue the facility. With the Bill's passage, the Article 3C of the Members of Parliament Remuneration and Allowances Order, 1973 stands void. Notably, the duty-free car facility for MPs was not in place just after the independence. It was actually introduced in 1988 following the fourth parliamentary election under the autocratic regime of Hussain Muhammad Ershad. In fact, the culture of corrupting every democratic institution including the legislature started from that time. Not just duty-free car, the autocratic ruler also made available government plots to the MPs, which was yet another kind of morally reprehensible inducement for the public representatives. However, otherwise vocal against such privileges the two major political parties --- Awami League and BNP--- once in power kept the same in place.

Needless to say, the pernicious influence of such undue privilege for MPs reached its culmination during the fascistic regime of Sheikh Hasina. So, by bringing a bill in the 13th JS to put an end to this unethical practice has been a step in the right direction. Hopefully, the move will help reining in the moral rot that started from the top of the government. However, there is also an economic dimension to the legislative move, especially at a time when austerity should be the survival mode for the government. Clearly, such duty-free car facility was inconsistent with electoral commitment of the party in power as it created a visible disparity of the lawmakers with the ordinary taxpayers. Now, repealing of the elitist provision for lawmakers is just the first step towards establishing an altruistic and pro-people mindset among the public representatives. Indeed, a legislative move is not enough to rid those who hold power of the toxic motivation for self-aggrandizement that is pervasive not only in the government, but also in society at large. But it is to be appreciated that at least the first salvo could be fired towards that end. So, the incumbent BNP-led government that enjoys a massive popular mandate has a huge responsibility in seeing to it that the decision made in parliament translates in real life into its prime objectives of reducing state expenditure, increasing transparency and accountability and ensuring equality of public representatives vis-à-vis the citizenry. No doubt, that is going to be a tall order.

The legislative decision to discontinue duty-free car facility directly comes in line with the ruling party's election promises. It also demonstrates that the party is keeping its word given to the electorate. Elimination of privilege allowed to MPs is one way of combating corruption since taking advantage of the facility some lawmakers in the past would dispose of their perks for hefty personal benefits.

Obviously, the parliamentary decision also points to showcasing a reform-oriented approach to governance by the present leadership. In the end, as the proverbial proof of the pudding is in the eating, it is hoped that the incumbent government would finally be able to live up to the public's expectation.