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Some Priorities Suggested for the Elected Government

Justice Badru1 Haider Chowdhury
We are moving towards a general election, the first ever, let u* hope.
for a free and fair polls which will pave the way for an elected government to take over the affair* of the state and run a democratic system.
Democracy is not an Ideol ogy but a historical process in the progress of a given society It la also a way of Me; it is a faith and not solgan. Freedom calls for a government that governs least but in a changing society of nascent democracy certain norms are to be kept in view for achieving the minimum expectations. Hence, the question of priorities.
It to now generally agreed that the attempt to demarcate clear cut functions of government is impossible. Government is a continuous process. Administration today to no longer Just the execution of policy: it reacts upon policy and actively participates in Its making.
Firstly, we must look at the question of accountability of the administration. This is the most important aspect which demands top considers tlon of the elected government. Art.' 77 of the Constitution contemplates the establishment of the office of Ombudsman. A law had been passed In 1979 but no appointment had been made The Ombudsman, has power to Investigate any action taken IW a ministry, a public officer, or u statutory public authority. He will prepare an annual report to be laid before the par-liament. The Institution has played an effective role for clearing administration In many countries. Pakistan set up this office few years back. The task before the elected government is to gear up the administrative machinery for keeping the wIhcIm moving. Corruption has become so rampunt In all spheres of life It will not be possible to eradicate it immediately trot the process should be tnlti ated.
Next, comes the separation of Judiciary from the executive. Arc 22 says that the State shall ensure the separation of the Judiciary from the executive organs of the State. This has not been done in Bangladesh. On the other hand, the setting up to upazila courts which have mushroomed has created havoc in the social life. Touts hangers on . and parasitic elements thrive tn such a set ting. It is not the function of the Stale to encourage l«M* tlon Litigation brings misery for both the parties. Modem tendencies all over the world reduce litigation and go for arbitration or HK-dlatlon While decentralisation of the cxccu live branch of the government has merit, the setting up to courts at village levels in the name of bringing justice to the door steps has disrupted peaceful MK lal life and led to unproductive government ex pcndlltires these courts must be wound up In planned phased manner.
Thirdly, a good government is Judged in terms of specific economic achievements. by the production of food and Its distribution at a reasonable price: by production and equitable distribution of essential commodities and by the promotion of employ ment opportunity. The priorite* of an elected government can be had from the Fundamental principle* of State policy In Part I I of the
Art. 16 says The Slate shall •idopt effective measures to :>rtng about a radical transformation in the rural areas though the promotion of an agricultural recolution. the provision of rural electrifrca Mon, the development of college and other Industrie*, the development of education Art. 17. foeuses attention on free primary compulsory education and for producing properly trained citizens to serve the social need.
These priorities should also cover the following eco nomlc objectives:
Promotion of agriculture: Food problem Is to be solved a* quickly as possible The world docs not owe us a living and certainly not perpetually. All efforts must be directed to this Cal Irrigation, fertilisers, ins for seeds, supply of equipments at cheaper rale and completion of flood pro jecta demand immediate at tention
Agro bawd Industries arc to be encouraged and loan fa t ill tic. are u> be streamlined
Electrification of vlllu^s: This should be given top priortty because that will help the cottage Industries and other related small Industries. Lenin once said socialism means electrification of villages
Skilled labour The educa Uon system needs to be over hauled What the country needs most Is skilled and semi-skilled labour. This labour force will not only help augmenting the Internal economy it can also be foreign exchange ' earner abroad. Compulsory primary education will help the growth of the semi- skilled labour.
Gas Is to be fully utilised. It should be taken to all the other regions. This will help establish indualrial base Th* resource must be fuBy utlhsrd
Reduce impart. lapsK policy should be reviewed keeping in mind the country's
Mems muM be banned For n ample there to hardly any tusilficatlon for importing mllk-produels by spending over 400 crore. of laka anno
••‘d and HvcMxks and mA producing paad variety of could be Imported from neighbouring counIrie. for
dl.trlbuliiMt amongst tndwiduaJ
Export oricnlcd Industries need ciuourageMrnl and fa dill a . for Instance, shrimp cull lire la an Important lor elgn exahungr earner The band is bleed with an shun danl supply of shrimps and fish in the rivers, and canals The country can be divided tn shrimp culture sone* and leasing on long term of these culture, atones will entourage Joint venture which will aug menl revenue in foreign exchange and employment orlUes of the elected gov ernment and the scanner they arc given full consideration the better for democracy After all. democracy to a way of hfe and it can be sustained only when the economic structure of the society is well founded Instead of being based on sto-guns
The writer (s a former Chief Justice of Bangladesh. He has written this article especially Jot Ils- Dally Star