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National Policy Forum on Election 2001 concludes
Policy briefs ready for political parties

The three-day national-level forum on Election 2001 ended in the city yesterday with compilation of opinions from experts, politicians, former bureaucrats and members of the civil society on 16 different issues related to developmental challenges the country faces.

Participants of the forum yesterday gave their views on governance, administrative reforms and local government, urban management. environment equity and women empowerment, health and population policy, and education policy.
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the Prothom Alo and The Daily Star jointly organised the three-day forum that began on Monday. Sixteen different sessions were held at three venues - the Jatiya Press Club, the CIRDAP, and the Planning Academy.
These policy briefs will be given to the leading political parties. After the election, these will be presented to the party forming the government for their consideration in policy formulation. The dialogues between members of the civil society, professional groups and experts over these issues will continue.



Governance
In the session on Governance, Chaired by CPD Chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan, speakers observed that a reasonably fair election was the prerequisite for good governance.
To ensure fair election, it might not be possible to uproot terrorism fully. However, the speakers said it was possible to arrest branded terrorists and thereby ensure a reasonably peaceful environment.



Environment Policy
In the session on Environment, Chaired by former Finance Minister and President of the POROSH, AMA Muhith, speakers said that a firm political commitment was needed to combat massive environmental degradation in the country. Muhith noted that the political parties have never taken environment as a political agenda. Unless there is a political consensus and commitment, environment degradation would be hard to check.



Health Policy
Existing administrative and financial authority in the health sector should be decentralised in order to ensure health for all. At the session on health, Chaired by former health secretary Syed Alamgir Farouk Chowdhury, speakers underscored the need for amendment to many of the existing laws. They also called for a separate health legislation to develop the sector.
They suggested that specialised hospitals in the country be made autonomous and trained manpower be properly utilised, and that the government adopt career plans in the sector.



Education Policy
Speakers at the session on Education, Chaired by Professor Muzaffer Ahmad of the IBA, recommended temporary moratorium on politics in educational institutions for both teachers and students, and increase in expenditure up to five per cent of the GDP for education.
They unanimously recommended cut in defence expenditure for enhanced allocation for education to produce enlightened and skilled population.



Urban Governance
Speakers at the session on Urban Management, Chaired by WASA Chairman Professor Nazrul Islam, emphasised decentralisation and dissemination of power to municipal wards for good urban management.
The municipalities must have full authority to offer security and services to the citizens, they observed.



Gender Equity and Women's Empowerment
Speakers at the session on Equity and Women's Empowerment, Chaired by Professor Rownak Jahan of the South Asia Centre at Columbia University, recommended that at least l0 per cent nominations be given to women candidates in national elections and women's issues be included in the manifestos of the parties.
The forum also stressed proper implementation of the existing laws, amendment to some of these and enactment of new ones to ensure equality between men and women.



Administrative Reforms and Local Government
The Bureau of Anti-corruption should be turned into Bangladesh Anti-corruption Commission - an independent body headed by a Chairman with the rank and status of a Minister or a State Minister, said speakers at the session on Administrative Reforms and Local Government.
Chaired by former Cabinet Secretary Mujibul Haq, the session arrived at the conclusion that the Bangladesh Bank and the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General should be free from the Finance Ministry's influence.