Today I remember the day, Oct. 13, 2006, when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh and its founder, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, for pioneering microcredit, lending tiny amounts of loans to help destitute women emerge as entrepreneurs.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Dr. Yunus and Grameen Bank for their "efforts to create economic and social development." A wave of joy swept the whole country on the announcement that the Nobel Prize was awarded to Dr. Muhammad Yunus. This scribe also had the opportunity to edit a book titled "Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus." Today Dr. Muhammad Yunus is heading an interim government to set the stage for rebuilding the country. He is the best pick the country has ever produced for this job. On August 8, '24, the Chief Adviser of the interim government took oath along with 13 other advisers. Three others could not take oath on the day as they were outside Dhaka. Later they also took oath. Later the interim government was expanded as more advisers took oath.
The new government started its journey after a successful revolution spearheaded by students. We wish the newly-formed government every success. The main task of the government is to clear the mess that accumulated over the last 17 years. The essential tasks are:
1) Establishment of rule of law: After the August 5 revolution, the police administration became completely inactive. The police stations were unprotected. The police will act if security is guaranteed. The new IG of Police has taken charge. It is expected that policing will return to normal.
A strong and impartial commission can be set up to punish those who violate the law of the land.
The judiciary should be completely freed from political and party shackles. People having vested interest and partisan views should be removed. Instead, honest, qualified and impartial judges should be appointed.
2) Financial sector reforms: The banking sector in the country is left on the brink. Some banks dominated by one person or one family were sinking. The banking sector was completely plagued by corruption, irregularities resorted to by unprofessional people. Short and long term reforms in the banking sector should be initiated as soon as a banking commission is formed. It is a welcome step that a white paper will be published on all irregularities including corruption and money laundering.
The money of the country has been parked abroad. Banks are empty. Laundered money should be brought back. It is important to ensure justice to those involved in looting money through corruption. The Banking Act should be amended so that a single family cannot dominate the bank board.
If money laundering can be stopped, the country's economy will turn around.
3. Anti-Corruption Commission. The Anti-Corruption Commission should be revamped. Corrupt people should be removed from the commission. The Anti-Corruption Commission should start its work anew with new, honest and competent people. Action should be taken according to the law against the corrupt in the state. The main task of this government is to properly investigate the corruption that happened under the previous regime.
4) Election Commission. The main problem of the country today is the Election Commission which was not run by impartial and honest people. The incompetent commission destroyed the country's electoral system. This commission should be made independent, impartial and strong. Preparation of an accurate voter list is also the need of the hour. One of the tasks of this commission is to prepare the list of genuine voters excluding fake and irregular voters. The Election Commission should get the power to ensure all subsequent elections are fair, impartial and held in accordance with the related law.
5) Education system. The country's education system is completely broken. Corruption and irregularities were rife at all levels from universities to the Ministry of Education manned by party people. An education commission should be constituted with qualified, honest and impartial persons excluding party persons. The education system should be structured as per the recommendations of the commission. Reforms should be made at all levels from primary education to university and higher education.
6) Public Service Commission. For the past 16 years, recruitment had been going on through this commission on a party basis instead of merit. This organisation needs to be restructured. The activities of all members including the chairman of the commission should be evaluated and action taken accordingly. Irregularities and corruption have weakened this commission. The Public Service Commission should be reconstituted with honest and competent persons. Transparency should be brought in the examination process. Irregularities including question leaks should be put to an end.
7) Garment and textile industry. In our country still the main sector of foreign exchange earnings is the textile sector that includes the garment industry. More policy cooperation should be prioritised in this sector. We cannot compete with India. Especially the spinning sector is on the verge of destruction today. Immediate measures should be taken to protect the spinning sector. Policy and cooperation should be provided on import of yarn.
On the other hand, the prices should be cut by 50 per cent for gas and electricity. With high gas prices, the garment industry including the spinning sector is unable to compete with neighbouring India. The bank debts in the spinning sector are increasing day by day and many spinning mills are closing down. It is reducing employment. With the support of the spinning sector, the garment industry has come this far to be our sole and major foreign exchange earner today.
8) Constitutional Reform Context: Our Constitution was first framed in 1972. Many revisions followed later. There are several inconsistencies in the current Constitution. There is a lack of balance of power. Therefore, the Constitution needs to be amended and reformed. Initiatives should be taken to balance the powers of the Prime Minister and the President. For this there is a need to form a committee for constitutional reform at a high level. With the advice of the said committee, the next parliament will amend the Constitution accordingly. The country's politics and political parties will get direction for improvement. BNP has already presented a 31-point programme before the nation to repair the state. The government can take cues from it.
9) National Elections: After addressing these challenges, the interim government should organise national elections as soon as possible. For that, the environment should be created. A transparent, impartial and acceptable election will take the nation forward. A delay in this case will bring hardship to all - the government has to be very careful in this connection.
10) Anti-Discrimination Student Movement: Nearly a thousand students were martyred in this movement. Many others were injured. A commission of inquiry shall be formed to determine the number of casualties as soon as possible. The second is to provide proper medical care to the injured. Allowances should be there for those martyred.
Our textbooks must have chapters on this anti-discrimination movement, the description of this movement from primary education to the university level.
11) Arrangements should be made to publish a white paper on corruption, unfairness and injustice done under the Hasina regime, based on which it will be easy to take legal action.
12. It is needed to change the names of the country's various establishments named after the dictators and their associates. The interim government should take this decision and instruct the concerned agencies to implement this.
13. Reforms in the information technology sector: A white paper should be published on corruption and irregularities happening in the sector in the past years. Expeditious legal action should be taken against the identified culprits. At present, this sector has been identified as the priority sector for earning foreign exchanges and it needs to be provided with low interest loans.
Abul Quasem Haider is founder Chairman of Eastern University and Islamic Finance & Investment Ltd. He is a former Senate Member of the University of Dhaka.
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