This 'NGO govt' has ignored business community, says Azam J Chowdhury

East Coast Group Chairman Azam J Chowdhury today (28 January) described the interim government as an "NGO government," saying it has not consulted business leaders on any matter. 

"Since they [advisers] came from NGOs, they have tried to run the entire country through NGOs," he said at a seminar and student scholarship award ceremony titled "Macro-Economic Stability and Challenges for the New Government."

The event was organised by the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) in Dhaka and chaired by ERF President Doulot Akter Mala.

The seminar's chief guest was Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud.

Speaking at the event, he referred to the education ministry, saying, "Teachers at government colleges are paying Tk8 lakh each in bribes to get transfers. When I was in charge of this ministry, hundreds of people would gather outside my office."

Govt college teachers paying up to Tk8 lakh in bribes for transfers, says planning adviser

Referring to issues with projects, Wahiduddin noted that in the new policy, after involving beneficiaries in project implementation, people question the contractors, saying, "The bricks and mortar you used aren't good. As a result, now no official wants to become a project director."

Azam J Chowdhury said the harassment faced by citizens at the deputy commissioner's office and its various sub-offices during the land mutation process is immense, and there is also the issue of extortion.

"Previously, bribes ranged from Tk50,000 to Tk1 lakh, but now they have reached as much as Tk10 lakh, which is deeply regrettable," he said.

Special guests included National Life Insurance Chairman Toffazzal Hossain, BRAC Bank acting managing director Syed Abdul Momen, Islami Bank Bangladesh Additional Managing Director M Kamaluddin Jasim, Mutual Trust Bank Deputy Managing Director Md Shamsul Islam, National Life Insurance CEO Md Kazim Uddin and former ERF president Shamsul Haque Zahid.