Replacement of ministers is no solution

In setting up electrical plants the government shouldn't show partisan spirit or sentiment. It must not forget that Bangladesh, being an LDC, has a very limited number of firms who can successfully undertake big projects. If smaller firms are to be encouraged, arrangements can be made for the sub-contracts. With such arrangements these firms can become efficient in handling bigger projects. It is indeed suicidal (even may be considered as crime) if bidders are accepted in consideration of party or parties' interest. A government can never be efficient if the interest of the country gets less importance to the interest of the party.

In case of ministry of power the role of the state minister is very limited because he is virtually under the control of the PMO. Thus the prime minister should share the responsibility of failure in the power sector. Otherwise replacement of Iqbal Hussain Mahmood by Anwarul Kabir will be just a cosmetic change to cover up failure.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

By ignoring the real importance of generating adequate electricity the government is now facing the crisis for water. Former minister for commerce is now expecting the charge of the ministry of water resources (may be to start new crisis for water throughout Bangladesh) because the present minister of water resources has been shifted to the ministry of commerce.

During the last four and a half years of four-party alliance government we have not seen any positive result out of reshuffling of portfolios. In case of ministries which have remained unchanged performance can hardly be called satisfactory. However, they are not lagging behind in beating their drums to confuse the common men. The fact is that by changing the portfolios of ministers the prime minister may save the situation. The party(s) in power will have to pay (nobody knows how much) for the follies, ignorance, arrogance of the ministers and other lawmakers. The tendency to ignore the advice of the media might have led the PM to be misguided. By listening to the recommendations of the media carefully she may understand better the game of the sycophants better. The high command of BNP will not, as we understand appreciate the recent incidents of police atrocity on journalists in Chittagong and BCD's unprovoked attack on journalists in Kushtia. For establishing democracy BNP must increase their tolerance.

The current crisis of electricity and water cannot be solved within the remaining period of the tenure of alliance government. What may at best be possible is to find fault of some senior officers of the ministry or implementing agencies. This style appears to suit this government.

We do not expect that Mr Anwarul Kabir, a low performing minister of the present government will be able to show some competence without the power to take executive decisions. As we understand he will have to work at the behest of the PMO. It is reported he has not been shown door because he happens to be popular in his Sirajganj constituency. Thus all may not be lost for Iqbal. He may be renominated in the next election. The fact is that there is almost no possibility for redressing our suffering. We shall have to face electricity and water crisis and more disturbances may occur in different places because of sky high prices of essential commodities, labour unrest, deterioration of law and order situation, etc.

A B M S Zahur is a retired Joint Secretary