Free BB, CAG from influence of Finance Ministry

Speakers at a pre-polls policy debate yesterday said the Bangladesh Bank and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General should be free from the influence of Finance Ministry.

They also said half of the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Ministries should headed by opposition lawmakers.

The observations came at the debate styled 'Administrative Reform and Local Government' jointly organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), The Daily Star and the Prothom Alo, held at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the city.

Advisor to the caretaker government Barrister Ishtiaque Ahmed attended the function as Special Guest while former Cabinet Secretary Mujibul Huq chaired.

The speakers also said the Bureau of Anti Corruption be turned into Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission headed by a Chairman who will enjoy the status of a Minister or State Minister.

And the proposed Commission should be separated from the Prime Minister's Office, they added.

Professor Zarina Rahman Khan, Chairman of Department of Public Administration of Dhaka University, made a presentation of the CPD Task Force report on 'Administrative Reform and Local Government.'

In her presentation, Zarina Khan said corruption has been an integral part of administrative culture in the country. In recent times, corruption has taken an all-pervasive form, she stated.

As part of long term measures, Zarina suggested annual publication of the report of the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission and submission to the parliament.

Barrister Ishtiaque, who is in Charge of Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministries, said the caretaker government has limitations and cannot take any major decision regarding financial, administrative or any other policy decisions. But acting on a court verdict the caretaker government is taking steps to separate the judiciary from the executive, he added.

Political government did not separate the judiciary in the last 30 years and 'I do not think that it will be done by any political government, the Advisor also said.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader Hasanul Haque Inu recommended making the Bangladesh Bank independent to bring financial discipline.

He also said the Ministry of Local Government should be dissolved because it has been politicising different local bodies over the years.

Tasmima Hossain, a former MP, said tax collection system should be strengthened.

Dr Mohabbat Khan, former Member of Public Service Commission, said the bureaucrats are inefficient and involved in corruption and they need reorientation.

"When politicians and bureaucrats join hands for corruption, how do you control corruption?", he asked.

Journalist Santosh Gupta said steps should be taken to free judiciary from the influence of 'mastaans'.

Professor Amirul Islam Chowdhury, Former Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, former secretary Nuruddin Chowdhury, Professor of Department of Public Administration of Rajshahi University Shamsur Rahman, Farah Kabir of the British Council, Badiul Alam Mojumder of Hunger Project, Ambassador Waliur Rahman, lawyer Nushat Jahan, Abdur Rouf of Credit and Development Forum, among others, also spoke on the occasion.