Bangladesh stands on edge of deep ditch before JS polls: Dr Debapriya | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 23, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
Bangladesh stands on edge of deep ditch before JS polls: Dr Debapriya

Bangladesh

UNB
26 November, 2023, 06:25 pm
Last modified: 26 November, 2023, 07:10 pm

Related News

  • Zero carbon, maximum resilience: The future of climate adaptation strategies
  • Govt mulls OMS sale of potatoes to ensure fair prices for farmers
  • Bodies of 3 killed in Gopalganj exhumed on court orders, sent to hospital morgue
  • Questions raised over training jets flying above crowded city
  • Inside the Milestone school plane crash: What kind of aircraft was it?

Bangladesh stands on edge of deep ditch before JS polls: Dr Debapriya

Political unrest and a one-party election will deepen the uncertainty in the economic sector further as around 80% population of Bangladesh wants a fair and internationally acceptable election that is very much needed for sustainable economic growth, Debapriya said.

UNB
26 November, 2023, 06:25 pm
Last modified: 26 November, 2023, 07:10 pm
File photo of Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya
File photo of Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya

Bangladesh's three big challenges in the fields of economy, international relations, and politics are likely to get deeper centring the 7 January Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue has said.

"Bangladesh today stands on the edge of a deep ditch," he said, adding that the problems faced by the country are likely to worsen if the upcoming polls become one-sided.

The eminent economist shared his views on a wide range of issues from ongoing political unrest to economic situation and to international interest in an interview with UNB in Dhaka this week.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Political unrest and a one-party election will deepen the uncertainty in the economic sector further as around 80% population of Bangladesh wants a fair and internationally acceptable election that is very much needed for sustainable economic growth, Debapriya said.

Regarding elections without the participation of big political parties, he said the Election Commission is registering political parties as per their wish.

Regarding economic challenges, he said people have been bearing the brunt of inflation for a long time, while many countries have improved in this sector after the pandemic and during the Russia-Ukraine war.

In Bangladesh, the food inflation is around 12% and inflation in rural areas is more than in the urban areas, which was not seen earlier, he noted.

According to the economist, due to the continuous slide of the local currency, people are facing imported inflation. 

There is no visible sign of reducing this type of inflation in the recent months, Dr Debapriya said.

He said the revenue generation fell severely due to an import decrease of one-fourth in recent years. He said the inefficiency of the revenue board has resulted in low collection of revenue. 

The government cannot implement already promised development work at the local government level, even in the election year, he mentioned.

This stagnation will not go until an inclusive and free fair parliamentary election, which is necessary to establish accountability in every sector, is held, he said.

He said the drastic fall of imports pushed price hikes in the domestic market and a group of syndicates using this as an option for raising prices.

The revenue shortfall is widening, and corruption and money laundering not reducing despite raising individual and overall income, which is happening due to lack of accountability. The government cannot ensure accountability at the top to bottom level as they are dependent on bureaucrats and state agencies in the absence of political and moral legality, he pointed out.

Not only that but also some influential countries are interfering in the domestic matter of Bangladesh, which never happened earlier. All of these are the outcome of faulty elections here and they (foreigners) are taking political disagreement and lack of moral legality of the government as an opportunity, he opined.

Regarding the legitimacy of past elections, Debapriya said those elections had been legal in consideration of the constitution, but there was a lack of political and moral legality, he said.

A country becomes stronger when its independent state organs are strengthened, he said adding in Bangladesh both the constitutional institutions and other state agencies are playing a biased role.

Regarding labour rights, Dr Debapriya said the Western world expresses concern over the working environment, illegal harassment, and forced disappearance of labour rights activists. Western people, who are the buyers of Bangladeshi garments and other goods, are very much conscious and concerned about these issues.  

Bangladesh has to reform many areas, such as the recovery of huge defaulted loans, reduce money laundering, ensure a decent working environment and express their views without fear, he said.

In the diplomatic sector, the country has to balance with global power keeping in mind that export destination of Bangladeshi goods, manpower, and remittances.

Top News

Debapriya Bhattacharya / CPD / Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA
  • Volunteers collect and gather parts of the wrecked plane from the Milestone School and College grounds on Tuesday, a day after the devastating aircraft crash. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Grief, angst and anger: The unbearable toll of Milestone crash
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling

MOST VIEWED

  • Screengrab/Video collected from Facebook
    CCTV footage shows how Air Force jet nosedived after technical malfunction
  • ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
    ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
  • The jet plane charred after crash on 21 July at the Milestone school premises. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Milestone plane crash: Death toll rises to 31 as nine more succumb to injuries
  • Students and police clash at Milestone School and College on 22 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Protesting Milestone students clash with police, besiege law and education advisers
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling
  • Aerial view of the Milestone school premises where the crash took place on 21 July. Photo: Olid Ebna Shah/ TBS
    ‘Why here?’: Concerns expressed over airbase inside city

Related News

  • Zero carbon, maximum resilience: The future of climate adaptation strategies
  • Govt mulls OMS sale of potatoes to ensure fair prices for farmers
  • Bodies of 3 killed in Gopalganj exhumed on court orders, sent to hospital morgue
  • Questions raised over training jets flying above crowded city
  • Inside the Milestone school plane crash: What kind of aircraft was it?

Features

Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

13h | Panorama
Photo: TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

7h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

1d | Panorama
Despite all the adversities, girls from the hill districts are consistently pushing the boundaries to earn repute and make the nation proud. Photos: TBS

Ghagra: Where dreams rise from dust for Bangladesh women's football

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

5h | TBS Today
What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

6h | TBS Today
Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

6h | TBS Today
Chief advisor's meeting with 4 parties; what was discussed?

Chief advisor's meeting with 4 parties; what was discussed?

6h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net