The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladeshis want to free themselves from $140 foreign loan per head and existing poverty. They also want reform of management of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Bangladesh Economic Association President Dr Kholiquzzaman Ahmed yesterday said this while speaking at a seminar on 'Cancellation of Foreign Debts and Public Service Sector organised by SUPRO, a development organisation at WVA auditorium in the city.

Speaking as special guest at the programme Tasnim Atahar, Deputy Director, Gona-shakkhrota Obijan said, ''We want a just society where every child has access to education, health and other basic needs.'' Though there is a law to ensure primary education for all, we yet cannot provide such facility to all the children, he regretted.

Moderated by Supro President Abdul Awal, Mohammad Shahid Ullah, Supro research coordinator presented keynote paper, while development activist Noresh Modhu, farmer leader Sobal Das and journalist Proshun Chompu, among others, took part at the discussion.

They said, Bangladesh should not waste any single dollar in paying the foreign loan adding, Bangladesh needs $ 7.5 billion per year to achieve the Millennium Development Goal but it is getting only $ 1.4 billion.

Some speakers proposed a separate commission under the United Nation to supervise the aid load, while some others demand the investigation of all loan and their impacts.

They said people would not bear the responsibility of looting by the rulers.

Sheuly Akter, a class seven student hailing from Tona village of Sadar Upazila under Pirojpur district who manages her educational expenses through begging stated her miseries, which drew the attention of the audiences.