PRSP implementation agenda

One of the main problems we have in Bangladesh is the tendency for everything to be turned into a political football. However, many issues of national importance need to be placed above politics if the nation is to make any headway on them.

The PRSP is definitely such an issue. Poverty alleviation is clearly an apolitical national concern. The details laid out in the paper have been long in coming and have no political component to them whatsoever. The paper is intended purely as a means to tackle poverty.

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As such, it should be above controversy, and discussions on its implementation need to include all parties and stakeholders, not merely the government. The strategy needs to be owned by both opposition and government on a national basis. Both sides need to accept and commit to it, and the strategy laid out needs to be followed, regardless of who comes into power in the next elections.

Indeed, we would like to see both government and opposition also agree on the 11 point implementation plan so that we know that come what may the PRSP initiative will be followed and there will be some predictability to our public policy.

It is no use having a far-reaching strategy paper that is subject to shifts in government or the national mood. When it comes to poverty alleviation, strategies must be drawn up with the input of all, and once decided upon, all parties must agree not to play politics with the strategy and to sincerely implement it.

Too often in our political culture important things are not done because of partisanship and the lack of ownership at the national level for positive change. Poverty alleviation is far too crucial an issue to similarly let languish.