The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Caretaker Government will hold dialogue with the political parties on reform measure as per decision of the Council of Advisers on Thursday with a view to holding a credible, free and fair elections in the country.

Disclosing this in an address to the nation yesterday evening, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said his Government was considering withdrawal of the restrictions on “indoor politics” outside Dhaka city across the country and relaxing and lifting the state of emergency in phases.

“We have lifted ban on indoor politics in the capital Dhaka for creating a congenial atmosphere. As per our commitment, after the conclusion of dialogue between the Election Commission and the political parties, reforms of the electoral laws and rules will be finalised,” he added.

The Chief Adviser addressed the nation marking the first anniversary of his Caretaker Government. Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed took oath of office as Chief of the military backed interim Government on January 12, 2007, a day after the intervention by the Army that saved the nation from an obvious civil war due to face off between the country’s two major and dynastic political parties-the BNP and the Awami League (AL).

His address to the nation was simultaneously telecast and broadcast live through different electronic media.

During the last one year, the Chief Adviser said the Government has separated the Judiciary from the Executive and reconstituted different constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Service Commission and the University Grants Commission with truly neutral and acceptable people in order to establish good governance in the country.

Expressing the hope that the political parties would seize the opportunity to make themselves democratic and corruption free, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said, “We will expect that the Government, Election Commission and political parties will be able to map out a smooth way for transition to democracy through discussions.”

In his 29 minutes speech, the Chief Adviser asserted saying, “I want to make it clear that Government is committed to hold the next parliamentary elections by December 2008, if possible before that, as per the roadmap announced by the Election Commission. There is no scope of confusion in this regard.”

He made it crystal clear that no political party and political force are the opponent of his Government.

He said he believed that they would be able to create such a pluralistic system in the country at the end of this year, in which the hopes and aspirations of 14.50 crore people would be reflected.

“It will be such a system which will remain sustainable depending on the strength of public opinion,” he said adding that the new institutions that the government have created and strengthened for protecting the actual democratic values will play a supplementary role to this end.

“Like you, I also want to see such a political and government system whose main task will be to fulfill the basic needs of the people. I want to see Bangladesh as a middle income country by eradicating poverty by the next one and half decade,” he said.

Terming his Government as servant of people, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said he wanted to see such a service-oriented Government to be elected in a democratic environment by this day next year.

Explaining the reality under which the present Caretaker Government took over, he said they had got the responsibility to run the state against the backdrop of a critical and chaotic situation.

“After that I have tried to discharge my duties vested on me selflessly. I don’t want that the country will return to the pre-January 11 anarchic situation”, the Chief Adviser said.

He called upon all including the political parties to establish an honest, skilled and competent leaderships at all levels unitedly. He expressed his optimism to hold a terrorism, muscle power, black money and arms free credible election this year as per the desire of the people.

He said, “I want to see that transparency and accountability have established at all spheres of the state through reforms and Bangladesh has been established as a reputed country across the globe as a bright example of religious and anthropological fraternity”.

Mentioning the assistance provided by the patriotic Armed Forces in aid of civil administration to run the country and facing natural calamities as well, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said they were also providing significant assistance currently in curbing crimes, corruption and terrorism as well as conducting relief and post disaster rehabilitation activities.

He said the Armed Forces are very cordial for providing all out cooperation to the Government to establish a real democracy in the country through holding a free, fair and credible election.

He appreciated the Armed Forces for their patriotic, professional and disciplined role.

The Chief Adviser described the 2008 as the most important year in the history of the nation and said, “We will make a transition to real democracy as per the roadmap towards fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people”.

Such spontaneous transition is rare in the world history, he said adding that his Government is going to make it happen as it believes that there is no alternative to democracy.

Terming the recent price hike of essentials including rice as unbearable for the people, he said, the Government has decided to import 10 lakh tonnes of rice officially on an emergency basis. He said, out of this, an agreement for importing three and half lakh tonnes of rice has already been signed.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said a high level delegation is now in Delhi to finalise the arrangement for the import of five lakh tonnes of rice and tender has already been floated for the import of two lakh tonnes of rice from Thailand. Besides, importing rice from Vietnam is being discussed, he added.

The Chief Adviser said the Government started selling rice in every town of the country under OMS (Open Market Sale) from January 9 last. Besides, BDR had started selling rice at its fair price shops in Dhaka well advance, he said adding that in the poverty stricken districts, where those live under below the poverty level, rice is being distributed for them through six lakh VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) cards from this month.

In the Sidr hit areas, rice is being distributed among the 26 lakh VGF card holders free of cost for four months since December.

Earlier, during the period between September-2007 and December-2007, a total of 58 lakh people were brought under VGF programme for the consecutive four months. Besides, necessary allocations have been made for the Food for Work Programme and Test Relief.

He said these programmes, particularly the introduction of OMS led to the fall in the price of rice.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed told the nation that all out measures are being taken to ensure highest production in the coming boro season.

He said the Government has taken to supply 28 lakh tonnes fertilizer with a target to boost production of Boro in the upcoming IRRI/Boro season to keep prices of essentials within the capacity of people.

He said the Government has taken steps to distribute fertilizers among the farmers timely at a fair price through 14,000 centres this year. The amount of fertilizers would be three times higher than that of the previous year.

He said the Government was providing huge subsidy to the farmers through fertilizer. The government spends Taka 31 to import one KG of Urea fertilizer and one kg fertilizer is being sold at a rate of Taka five and paisa 30 only, he added.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said the government has taken steps to distribute fertilizer among the farmers at a fair price and on time from 14 thousand centres this year, which is three times higher than the previous year.

Referring to the power supply for irrigation purpose, he said, the Government firmly determined to provide uninterrupted power supply during irrigation season with a view to substantial rise of Boro production in the coming season.

Stressing the importance of research in the agriculture sector, the Government for the first time has allocated Taka 350 crore in the budget, he said, adding “ We hope the research will make valuable contribution for long term agriculture development”. Listing different reform measurers undertaken by the government, he said, it has reconstituted the Election Commission to hold a free, fair and neutral election acceptable to all.

He said, as per the plan of the Election Commission (EC) the work for preparation of voters ID card with photographs are going on in full swing.

Apart from this, the Chief Adviser said the Government was also showing its sincerity for the institutional flourishment of the EC and on giving administrative freedom. In this regard a draft law is now at the final stage, he added.

Referring to the Separation of Judiciary from the Executives, he said, “After 36 years of existence of the independent state, we have separated judiciary from the executive from November 1 last as per the directive of the Constitution.

The day will remain as a milestone in the history of Bangladesh in establishing rule of law”.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said although our political parties in their election manifestoes had spoken about separation of judiciary time and again but they never implemented it after going to power.