Parliamentary standing committees ‘failing’ to serve purpose: TIB

Transparency International, Bangladesh has said parliamentary standing committees are ‘failing’ to serve their purpose, blaming it on ‘mono-centric control’ of the house.

“There is lack of political will to make them effective,” the Berlin-based anti-graft campaign’s Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said Sunday while unveiling a report underscoring the ‘problems’ of these panels and suggesting ‘solutions’.

 Ruling party members have already blasted the organisation for being ‘biased’.

 “The activities of the committees have become person-centred like the government and the parliament. The leader of the house controls all the power. The committees fail to become effective due to the dominance. “Many say the committees make the final call based on the opinion of the leader of the house. Her will and order drives all the decisions. The committee’s own opinions are not reflected.” TIB Trustee M Hafizuddin Khan termed Bangladesh’s democratic practice as ‘weak’, according to a news agency.----Aminul