Speakers call for stronger accountability, reforms after govt’s first 180 days

At a roundtable assessing the new government's first 180 days in office, politicians, academics, diplomats and civil society representatives called for stronger accountability, institutional reforms and systematic policy implementation.

They made the observations at a roundtable titled "Review of 180 Days of the New Democratic Government of Bangladesh: The Context of Good Governance, Accountability and Development" at the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) auditorium in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on Saturday, according to a press release. Citizens' Forum, Bangladesh (CFB) and the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Initiatives (BCAI) jointly organised the roundtable and invited participants to the discussion.

Citizens' Forum, Bangladesh (CFB) and the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Initiatives (BCAI) jointly organised the discussion.

Participants examined the government's performance in governance, economic management, banking, energy, education, foreign policy, social protection and law and order.

The organisers said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government had sought to implement its election manifesto through various cards, loans and social safety-net programmes for farmers, women, students and low-income groups.

They also highlighted the building of a food-grain stock of around 2.4 million tonnes, the pursuit of an independent foreign policy under the "Bangladesh First" principle and a target to cut the time required to start a business from nearly a year to 14 days.

The organisers further cited the passage of 105 bills during 52 sitting days of the 13th Parliament and the prime minister's deposit of 10% of his basic monthly salary, or Tk11,500, into the state treasury.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman and CFB Chief Coordinator Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed chaired the discussion.

"Since the election of 12 February, public expectations of this government have been very high, and people are also holding the present government responsible for long-standing systemic problems," he said.

He recommended publishing a "shadow" plan to explain planning deficiencies in the power and energy sector to the public.

"The government has begun its work sincerely; what is now needed is time to deliver results, along with disciplined and systematic implementation," he said.

Professor Mamun also stressed the need to make Parliament the principal centre of policymaking.

Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said a qualitative change was visible in the country's political culture during the government's first six months.

"A full evaluation in only 180 days would be premature. What matters are two things: whether the direction is right and whether momentum is building in that direction," he said.

Referring to what he described as an inherited legacy of a stalled economy and plunder, he called on the opposition to take part constructively in national development planning.

International Republican Institute (IRI) Resident Program Director John Fluharty said the organisation's research indicated that citizens were prepared to give the government more time.

"If the government and the opposition are seen sitting down away from the cameras to discuss problems and seek accommodation, public confidence can grow," he said.

He also urged political parties to identify areas where they could reach consensus.

Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury said a parliamentary democracy could not be fully evaluated in 180 days.

"Not everything is governed by written law; much depends on convention and political decorum," he said, adding that such decorum was visible in the conduct of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.

He called for transforming Bangladesh from a project-dependent country into an "enabling state", reforming the banking sector, recovering laundered money and adopting long-term plans for energy security.

Naripokkho Founder Shireen Parvin Huq urged the government to keep the public informed about its initiatives.

Raising concerns over commodity prices, she said, "People often return from the market with an empty bag."

She also raised concerns about law and order, alleged extortion by grassroots members of the ruling party and widespread corruption.

Shireen demanded justice for those responsible for torture and killings during the 2024 mass uprising and swift implementation of the anti-discrimination law.

Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan described the bureaucracy as the backbone of the state and called for stronger civic and moral education.

"The government's success does not depend on any single individual; it is teamwork," he said, urging the government to seek more expert advice when formulating policies.

North South University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury identified restoring democratic culture and rebuilding the economy and banking sector as the government's main challenges.

"If human resources are transformed, a trillion-dollar economy will be possible in the future," he said.

National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr SM Amanullah cited the restoration of stability in the education sector and national sovereignty as major achievements, and stressed skills development for young people and expanding overseas employment.

University of Dhaka Emeritus Professor Dr Tajmeri SA Islam welcomed what she described as healthy debate in Parliament but said the expectation of building a corruption-free society remained unmet.

Ambassador Mahbub Uz Zaman said political freedom would be meaningless without economic progress, and called for zero tolerance of corruption, banking-sector reform and an end to money laundering.

Former Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Vice-Chairman Abul Kashem Haydar described the government's geopolitical shift as its most significant achievement during the period.

He called for reforms to the Public Service Commission and the bureaucracy.

Economist Professor Dr Abu Ahmed urged the government to make bold, clear decisions on issues including the third terminal and Chattogram Port, and to open the economy further.

Former Secretary Abdur Rashid Sarkar said a long-term perspective was necessary for a comprehensive assessment of the government.

Bangladesh Medical University Dean Professor Dr Shakhawat Hossain Sayantha moderated the discussion.

He highlighted initiatives including waiving interest on agricultural loans for 1.3 million farmers, doubling the health-sector budget, providing free school uniforms for 200,000 children, and enrolling 2.2 million children in a football programme.

He expressed hope that the government would pay greater attention to reducing public suffering over essential services such as electricity, gas and water.

BILIA Chairman and University of Dhaka Law Professor Dr Borhan Uddin Khan; former Bangladesh University of Professionals Vice-Chancellor Major General Md Moshfequl Islam; Prime Minister's Speechwriter SAM Mahfuzur Rahman; Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Member (Operation and Planning) Dr Md Ziaul Islam Munna; and Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology Board of Trustees Chairman M Shamsul Alam Liton attended the discussion.

Former Inspector General of Police and National Security Cell Chief Executive Officer Md Mazharul Haque, PPM; North South University Professor Dr AKM Waresul Karim; columnist and journalist Borhanuddin Yusuf; GRIT Foundation Vice-Chairman Mohammad Mamunur Rashid; and Jagannath University Mass Communication and Journalism Professor Dr Shah Md Nistar Jahan Kabir were also present.

Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University Criminology and Police Science Department Chairman Professor Md Omar Faruk; The Media Stream Ltd Managing Director Md Sohel Rana; International University of Business Agriculture and Technology Economics Department Professor and Chair Dr Golam Rasul; American International University-Bangladesh Registrar Dr Mohammad Zahidul Islam Khan; and University of Dhaka International Relations Assistant Professor Md Tanvir Habib Jewel also attended.

Journalist and researcher Shadique Mahbub Islam and student leader Chamon Fariya Islam Meghla were also present.

The organisers said the roundtable formed part of their continuing efforts to promote informed public discussion on good governance and reform.