Budget should address challenges with vision

This budget session will be a crucial one in consideration of its possible hot debate , frequent walk out by opposition and agitation and procession outside the parliament on different issues . Most important is that the budget to be tabled during this session would be implemented by three governments ,the exiting one, the caretaker and the government to be formed after the election. In addition, this budget will provide funds for the general election, and for also completion of committed projects within the time of present government and for payment of outstanding dues for the big procurements made during the period of this government. Apart from this the budget must be one with strategy to draw the attention of voters and therefore, should reflect political wisdom, provisions and support from the public as a whole!

The budget mirrors not only economic promises to the nation but also the political goals of the party in power. The budget must provide long-term perspectives and immediate remedies to resolve acute core problems that continue to hinder development initiatives and must also build up the image of the government among the citizens. This is the opportunity to reduce resentment among the general public and overcome criticism of avarice and rampant corruption.

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The public in general wants to listen to the commitment of the government on the strategy and action to ensure good governance and the establishment of rule of law. Sound and comprehensive development planning, containing measures to overcome indiscipline and inefficiency in public service delivery system is also wanted.

In addition, people are interested to hear about the macro-economic measures to be adopted in the economic horizon with special indication to foreign investment and promotion of private sector. Specific programmes need to be spelled out for poverty alleviation and achievement of millenium development goals.

To be very precise and specific, the whole country is experiencing crippling power shortage, inadequate water supply, unplanned utilisation of gas wealth, fertilizer crisis affecting agriculture, dollar and acute liquidity crisis etc. The continuous price spiral and deteriorating law and order situation have alarmed the people who are demanding immediate solution to the problems.

The budget should at least give an indication about the vision of the government and its plan to address the following areas in particular :-

Public utility services: There is resentment that public utility services are being made dearer and costlier. The unprecedented crisis of power generation and distribution has now reached a critical stage while the public have become restless for electricity and water supply almost everywhere throughout the country. How government addresses the shortage of 1624 MW of electricity in the year 2006-2007 is a big question. The energy minister has said that it would be difficult to improve the situation before 2008. The present demand for 4200 MW during the evening peak hours is covered by 1000 MW load shedding. This has in fact created acute shortage of water supply in addition to demand of electricity. The remedy does not obviously lie with the transfer of the MD of WASA or the branding of the Kansat protesters as ill-motivated people.

Infrastructure development: Of all the infrastructure and key points of installations, Chittagong port is top most one as prime life line of nation's economy. This is in serious trouble for the last two months on the question of appointment of private operators. The pressure from political front became a great concern for all import and export traders and the national economy as a whole. The involvement of Stevedoring Services of America at Chittagong port and their subsequent withdrawal from Bangladesh is very much in our living memory. The highest turn around time and stockpiling of more than 15000 units of loaded containers against the maximum capacity of 13000 units is alarming. Operational hazards and the cost of clearing goods coupled with inefficiency and corruption force a rise in the price of imported goods. Besides, Mongla port, in fact has become dysfunctional at present. Can we not try to make it viable by drawing the attention of the new democratic government of Nepal to use the port for import of bulk items? The question of allowing the seven sisters of the Indian north-east to use the Chittagong port should be examined in right perspectives.

Strengthening of local government: In principle, the government has agreed to strengthen the local governments by giving more resources and power to them. One of the issues which is striking the minds of the people is the functioning of upazila system. Now the question is, why the Upazila system is not working when all infrastructure facilities exist? Around 32 officers are posted and designated as upazila officers of different departments. They have in fact no coordinator to streamline the system and ensure better performance of development projects at the upazila level. The need for upazila system is keenly felt to ensure development activities and also to maintain law and order at the upazila level. The common belief is that the upazila system is kept in abeyance since MPs feel that they will eventually have no control in their constituency if a chairman of the upazila takes over the charge.

In fact, there is no local government institution at present except Union Parisad. This cannot be a situation in a country demanding development from the grassroots level and establishment of democracy in right earnest.

Good governance and rule of law: The budget speech must come out with specific commitment about good governance and establishment of Rule of Law with clear financial allocation for the same. In the absence of good governance all initiatives must end in fiasco. There is nothing to be reemphasised on the need of good governance and rule of law to be established in Bangladesh as civilised nation with long heritage.

Market management and distribution system: Nationwide price spiral of almost all items has generated a resentment among the common people. The Ministry of Commerce has stated that the control of the market and price monitoring system is not their function. The Rules of Business, schedule 1, surely indicates such an important subject be allocated to some Ministry or Division. Control of the trade organisations including the registrar of joint stock company, price stabilisation, market intelligence, TCB etc are obviously subjects of Commerce Ministry. All these indicate the commerce ministry to have control on the market and act against hoarding, cartel formation etc. This budget session we hope, shall make these issues clear to the nation and oblige the government to keep the prices within the purchasing power of the common people.

The expectation of the people from this session is much more , specially commitment of the government on the functioning of Ombudsman, efficacy of the election commission , strengthening of anti-corruption commission, and above all functioning of parliamentary democratic system with free and fair election.

The budget should address all pertinent issues keeping in view the genius of the people and feeling the pulse of voters who matter most.

Dhiraj Kumar Nath is a freelance contributor.