Rebuilding the state is a big challenge, but the people's government will not be defeated: Jahed Ur Rahman

The biggest challenge before any party coming to power after the thirteenth parliament election was rebuilding a state system close to destruction. In the words of Jahed Ur Rahman, adviser to the prime minister, there are challenges, but the people's government will not be defeated.

He writes that the fall and flight of the Sheikh Hasina government was the victory of one battle, but the larger battle did not end there. The fight is longer — beginning the journey towards a state based on equality, human dignity and social justice. During the Awami League's long rule, Bangladesh's state institutions were rendered ineffective to such a degree that in many cases they had reached a near-destroyed state.

In his view, a democratic state is not only a matter of elections or a change of government. The judiciary, the executive, the administration and other institutions of the state must work within their own responsibilities and jurisdiction. That system had not been in effect in Bangladesh for a long time. As a result, the present government has to face political, economic and administrative challenges at the same time.

On assessing the government's eight months of work, he says it cannot be denied that in some areas progress has been less than the people had hoped. But at the same time, the circumstances in which the government started work must be seen. Working with the government, he has seen that a large part of the bureaucracy has long had no experience of working with a government that came to power through a participatory election.

He also notes that change has come in political rights and freedom of expression. Opposition political parties and ordinary citizens are able to criticise the government harshly. In his words, this tolerance is extremely important in a democratic system.

As the big economic challenge, he points to the consequences of the looting of the Awami era and the world situation. In particular, the Middle East conflict has created a fuel crisis across the world. He also notes that during the Hasina government, the necessary steps were not taken to explore and develop domestic fuel resources.

Setting out the support initiatives, he says there is a plan to deliver family cards to 4.1 million families within the current fiscal year. Counting an average of five members per family, about twenty million people will benefit. Each family will receive Tk 2,500 a month in assistance. Alongside this, the coverage of VGF and food assistance programmes has been expanded, and in some cases the allocated amount of rice has been doubled.

He says initiatives are being taken to explore and drill new gas fields for fuel security. Efforts are under way to put the gas discovered in Bhola to use quickly. The government is also giving importance to expanding solar power — incentives and policy initiatives have been taken so that people can easily produce and use solar power at home and sell the surplus, and there is also an initiative to enact a new law on solar power.

On the law and order situation, he says the change will be clear when compared with the time of the interim government. Back then, singing was being stopped, girls were not being allowed to play football, and obstruction of jatra, fairs and cultural activities happened regularly. More than a hundred shrines were vandalised and set on fire. Even the offices of the country's leading newspapers were set on fire after an announcement, but the government remained indifferent. His assessment is that present-day Bangladesh has come out of that situation almost completely, and the police are working better than before.

However, he also acknowledges that expectations of a government that came to power with a two-thirds majority in parliament and the support of more than half the voters will be much higher.

On allegations of extortion and occupation using the party's name, he says an MP and a state minister have already had to leave their posts. One faced an allegation of occupation; the other had publicly broken the law. He also notes that citizens have received the message that the government does not ignore allegations when they are raised.

In closing, he writes that a major characteristic of a democratic government is that it is ready to admit mistakes and correct them. From rebuilding state institutions to the economy, law and order and citizens' rights — that democratic practice must be taken forward in every field. A government elected by the people's vote and moving forward with the people will not be defeated in this challenge, he comments.

Jahed Ur Rahman serves as adviser to the prime minister on policy and strategy, information and broadcasting, and culture.