People really want good governance
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Enayet Rasul Bhuiyan
The present government of Bangladesh has been in power for over 240 days or more than eight months. Compared to the total allowable tenure of this government which is five years, this length of time is not a long one. But the same is enough surely to form first impressions about the ruling qualities of the incumbents in power.
This government also did not come to power just as a matter of course. It came to power at the end of a series of very bitter and also traumatic experiences spanning some years that crystallized beyond doubt what the people aspired the most and what were really needed for the continuing progress and prosperity of the country. The deepest realization on the part of the people generally on the eve of the last general election in Bangladesh was that the old order must give way to a new and remarkably healthier one. The new order that was desired would ensure good governance above everything else. This could be construed to mean a government and its members and the ruling party who would be collectively dedicated to addressing effectively the most agonizing problems affecting people's lives.
The early statements from the leading figures in the new government, specially from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also helped such expectations to be aroused to a high degree among people in walks of life. Leaders of the Awami League led government reiterated that they would lose not a moment from their first day in power to change the old order to bring refreshing new changes for the good in all spheres of national life. But eight months down the road, hardly a match is noted between the rhetorics and the realities. If there is anything to be said decisively about the ruling style of this government, it would be that it has not succeeded in changing anything.
The present scene in Bangladesh appears to be once again the one of the winners take all. Coteries and individuals belonging to the ruling party or claiming to be so are once again noted for grabbing the fattest fruits of the land for themselves. The unwritten rule these days is that only elements connected to the ruling party shall monpolise all opportunities for businesses. None shall bid for government tenders if they are not the favoured ones of the ruling establishment. In tender biddings, the supreme criterion for selection and award of jobs is the connection to the ruling party. Even technical standards, ability and experience of the bidders are being purposefully lowered to ensure such complete control over opportunities for ruling party men. In many cases, even rival factions of bidders claiming association with the current power structure, are engaging in bloody clashes to win in the fray.
Thus, this is hardly a scene for conducting business activities fairly and squarely. Regular businessmen who would be fittest for contract awards in every manner stand no chance in this situation. There is no need to explain-- as it should be obvious-- why such conditions would ultimately pose a grave threat to the flowering of proper business activities in the country; the spirit of genuine businesses would be undermined and such developments would take a severe toll from the economy as a whole.
Serious instances of mismanagement of the economy are to be noted in the mishandling of the readymade garments (RMG) sector. This sector is presently one of the two main pillars on which the economy of the country stands. But government has been treating this sector very shabbily indeed. There is hardly seen concern in the corridors of power about the very ugly fallouts from such neglect of the RMG sector. According to the association of RMG industries, BGMEA, some 40 per cent of RMG industries would face closure only months from now if the government fails to act in time . They have been desperately seeking cash assistance and other supports from the government for nearly a year. But the same have been held back from them--ironically-- after repeatedly assuring them about the same. Governments of other rival countries of Bangladesh in garments export gave such assistance to their garments sector. This resulted in their winning an edge over Bangladeshi producers.
The policy planners in the Bangladesh government have been very irresponsible in not understanding the significance of extending such special assistance to their RMG sector in time that would help it to remain in the competition against rivals. Even now, when the prospects of closure of some 40 per cent of garments industries appear imminent, government is remaining strangely mute to the pleadings of BGMEA for help.
Government has also rejected very callously the suggestion of raising a special security force to protect the RMG sector pointing to the costs of raising and rearing it. But this is penny wise and pound foolish policy. The costs of rearing a force exclusively for the RMG sector would be peanuts compared to the saving and earning of resources in this sector it could truly promote. In sum, it does not seem that government has any proper vision or policy in relation to this extremely important sector of the economy.
Law and order conditions in the country have been under a stress ever since the present government came to power. There have been two sides to this law and order decline : first, the organized gang men perceived that with the stern conditions against them over with the exit of the caretaker government, they would be free to make a comeback. They did so meeting little resistance. Many of them swiftly changed their political loyalties and are claiming political shelter under the ones in power. Then, there are elements of the underworld who were allegedly identified with the present ruling party even before its coming to power. They, too, have staged a full comeback. All variants of the crime world are, allegedly, having no difficulty in enjoying a rather cooperative relationship with law enforcement bodies which seem to have turned back to their earlier decadent and very corrupt operating styles. Government, so far, has not done anything of value to effectively address these very serious problems in the law and order front.
Members of the youth front of the ruling party, Chatra League, have been acting like its storm troopers from the early days of this government. From their brutal methods of establishing domination over the campuses to tender hijacking, extortion and engaging in all sorts of unlawful ways of making money and oppressing others, no other class of human beings in Bangladesh can bear any comparison to them. Government leaders thundered on and off against the deviant Chatra League members in public meetings and the like. But the same were probably done with an eye for the gallery only. Nothing has been actually done to rein in the excesses committed by the Chatra League.
Politicization of the government administration with their own followers, was a big charge against the BNP government by the Awami League. But with the reins of power now in its hands , the Awami League is not seen to be acting any differently. More than competence, character and integrity, loyalty to the ruling party seems to be the main requirement for consideration nowadays in areas of important government postings, transfers and related matters.
People are like one today in Bangladesh in wanting to draw attention to their every day very agonizing problems such as lack of electricity, gas, maddening traffic jams and growing crimes. But government has little addressed or poorly addressed these grievances of the people. It seems active in giving more attention to its own agenda such as reawakening the values of the liberation war, trial of the accused ones for war crimes in 1971, etc. Actions in such areas are important but these are not at the very top in the need hierarchy of the people at the moment.
So none can be accused for loudly asking : where is the change ? A government that came to power swearing change, is now seen eating its own words but unabashedly.
The present government of Bangladesh has been in power for over 240 days or more than eight months. Compared to the total allowable tenure of this government which is five years, this length of time is not a long one. But the same is enough surely to form first impressions about the ruling qualities of the incumbents in power.
This government also did not come to power just as a matter of course. It came to power at the end of a series of very bitter and also traumatic experiences spanning some years that crystallized beyond doubt what the people aspired the most and what were really needed for the continuing progress and prosperity of the country. The deepest realization on the part of the people generally on the eve of the last general election in Bangladesh was that the old order must give way to a new and remarkably healthier one. The new order that was desired would ensure good governance above everything else. This could be construed to mean a government and its members and the ruling party who would be collectively dedicated to addressing effectively the most agonizing problems affecting people's lives.
The early statements from the leading figures in the new government, specially from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also helped such expectations to be aroused to a high degree among people in walks of life. Leaders of the Awami League led government reiterated that they would lose not a moment from their first day in power to change the old order to bring refreshing new changes for the good in all spheres of national life. But eight months down the road, hardly a match is noted between the rhetorics and the realities. If there is anything to be said decisively about the ruling style of this government, it would be that it has not succeeded in changing anything.
The present scene in Bangladesh appears to be once again the one of the winners take all. Coteries and individuals belonging to the ruling party or claiming to be so are once again noted for grabbing the fattest fruits of the land for themselves. The unwritten rule these days is that only elements connected to the ruling party shall monpolise all opportunities for businesses. None shall bid for government tenders if they are not the favoured ones of the ruling establishment. In tender biddings, the supreme criterion for selection and award of jobs is the connection to the ruling party. Even technical standards, ability and experience of the bidders are being purposefully lowered to ensure such complete control over opportunities for ruling party men. In many cases, even rival factions of bidders claiming association with the current power structure, are engaging in bloody clashes to win in the fray.
Thus, this is hardly a scene for conducting business activities fairly and squarely. Regular businessmen who would be fittest for contract awards in every manner stand no chance in this situation. There is no need to explain-- as it should be obvious-- why such conditions would ultimately pose a grave threat to the flowering of proper business activities in the country; the spirit of genuine businesses would be undermined and such developments would take a severe toll from the economy as a whole.
Serious instances of mismanagement of the economy are to be noted in the mishandling of the readymade garments (RMG) sector. This sector is presently one of the two main pillars on which the economy of the country stands. But government has been treating this sector very shabbily indeed. There is hardly seen concern in the corridors of power about the very ugly fallouts from such neglect of the RMG sector. According to the association of RMG industries, BGMEA, some 40 per cent of RMG industries would face closure only months from now if the government fails to act in time . They have been desperately seeking cash assistance and other supports from the government for nearly a year. But the same have been held back from them--ironically-- after repeatedly assuring them about the same. Governments of other rival countries of Bangladesh in garments export gave such assistance to their garments sector. This resulted in their winning an edge over Bangladeshi producers.
The policy planners in the Bangladesh government have been very irresponsible in not understanding the significance of extending such special assistance to their RMG sector in time that would help it to remain in the competition against rivals. Even now, when the prospects of closure of some 40 per cent of garments industries appear imminent, government is remaining strangely mute to the pleadings of BGMEA for help.
Government has also rejected very callously the suggestion of raising a special security force to protect the RMG sector pointing to the costs of raising and rearing it. But this is penny wise and pound foolish policy. The costs of rearing a force exclusively for the RMG sector would be peanuts compared to the saving and earning of resources in this sector it could truly promote. In sum, it does not seem that government has any proper vision or policy in relation to this extremely important sector of the economy.
Law and order conditions in the country have been under a stress ever since the present government came to power. There have been two sides to this law and order decline : first, the organized gang men perceived that with the stern conditions against them over with the exit of the caretaker government, they would be free to make a comeback. They did so meeting little resistance. Many of them swiftly changed their political loyalties and are claiming political shelter under the ones in power. Then, there are elements of the underworld who were allegedly identified with the present ruling party even before its coming to power. They, too, have staged a full comeback. All variants of the crime world are, allegedly, having no difficulty in enjoying a rather cooperative relationship with law enforcement bodies which seem to have turned back to their earlier decadent and very corrupt operating styles. Government, so far, has not done anything of value to effectively address these very serious problems in the law and order front.
Members of the youth front of the ruling party, Chatra League, have been acting like its storm troopers from the early days of this government. From their brutal methods of establishing domination over the campuses to tender hijacking, extortion and engaging in all sorts of unlawful ways of making money and oppressing others, no other class of human beings in Bangladesh can bear any comparison to them. Government leaders thundered on and off against the deviant Chatra League members in public meetings and the like. But the same were probably done with an eye for the gallery only. Nothing has been actually done to rein in the excesses committed by the Chatra League.
Politicization of the government administration with their own followers, was a big charge against the BNP government by the Awami League. But with the reins of power now in its hands , the Awami League is not seen to be acting any differently. More than competence, character and integrity, loyalty to the ruling party seems to be the main requirement for consideration nowadays in areas of important government postings, transfers and related matters.
People are like one today in Bangladesh in wanting to draw attention to their every day very agonizing problems such as lack of electricity, gas, maddening traffic jams and growing crimes. But government has little addressed or poorly addressed these grievances of the people. It seems active in giving more attention to its own agenda such as reawakening the values of the liberation war, trial of the accused ones for war crimes in 1971, etc. Actions in such areas are important but these are not at the very top in the need hierarchy of the people at the moment.
So none can be accused for loudly asking : where is the change ? A government that came to power swearing change, is now seen eating its own words but unabashedly.