A vested quarter trying to privatise rly, seminar told
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Speakers at a roundtable Wednesday expressed their dissatisfaction over the losses the Bangladesh Railway (BR) has been incurring for many years, reports BSS.
"Being the cheapest mode of transport, the BR has been incurring the losses since 1982, which is undesirable," the speakers said at the roundtable on 'Necessity of railway for development of economy and communication system' at Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Educationist Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid chaired and moderated the roundtable organised by Paribesh Banchao Andolon (PBA), a non-government organisation (NGO).
Vice-Chancellor of Ahsanullah Science and Technology University Professor M Anwar Hossain, Professor Rukhsana Hafiz of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Professor Anu Mohammad of Jahangirnagar University, Professor MM Akash of Dhaka University, Mohammad Mainul Islam of Institute of Planner Association, Ahmed Nasir Mahmood of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust, Mohammad Humayun Kabir of Railway Sramik League, Mohammad Aminul Rasul of Unnayan Dhara and Abu Naser Khan of the PBA spoke. Syed Mahbub Alam presented a keynote paper.
Citing the example of Lalu Prasad Yadab, the widely acclaimed railway minister of India, Professor Rukhsana Hafiz said he (Lalu) made the problem simple by saying "either make profit or leave the job".
Professor MM Akash said as in the case of the Adamjee Jute Mills, a vested quarter is working against the railway. This time, they are trying to privatise the BR.
Professor Anu Mohammad said in its long history, the BR, which had been run under various undemocratic regimes during different periods, had ability to make profit, but it was not possible due to unknown reasons.
Workers and employees of the BR must unite themselves to oppose the move to privatise their organisation, he added.
"Being the cheapest mode of transport, the BR has been incurring the losses since 1982, which is undesirable," the speakers said at the roundtable on 'Necessity of railway for development of economy and communication system' at Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Educationist Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid chaired and moderated the roundtable organised by Paribesh Banchao Andolon (PBA), a non-government organisation (NGO).
Vice-Chancellor of Ahsanullah Science and Technology University Professor M Anwar Hossain, Professor Rukhsana Hafiz of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Professor Anu Mohammad of Jahangirnagar University, Professor MM Akash of Dhaka University, Mohammad Mainul Islam of Institute of Planner Association, Ahmed Nasir Mahmood of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust, Mohammad Humayun Kabir of Railway Sramik League, Mohammad Aminul Rasul of Unnayan Dhara and Abu Naser Khan of the PBA spoke. Syed Mahbub Alam presented a keynote paper.
Citing the example of Lalu Prasad Yadab, the widely acclaimed railway minister of India, Professor Rukhsana Hafiz said he (Lalu) made the problem simple by saying "either make profit or leave the job".
Professor MM Akash said as in the case of the Adamjee Jute Mills, a vested quarter is working against the railway. This time, they are trying to privatise the BR.
Professor Anu Mohammad said in its long history, the BR, which had been run under various undemocratic regimes during different periods, had ability to make profit, but it was not possible due to unknown reasons.
Workers and employees of the BR must unite themselves to oppose the move to privatise their organisation, he added.