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The Daily Star Roundtable

Strengthening Parliament: Leaders Speak Out

Star Report
Our Parliament is the fruit of many years of struggle. Our people want to see that it grows to become the central institution of our political lite. We want to see that all political conflicts are resolved through debate within its walls, and not on the streets. We want establishment of a matured parliamentary democracy in our country.
To help realise that objective..The Daily Star organ ised a Roundtable on Strengthening the Parliament. Here we publish brief extracts of what leaders of AL. BNP and some eminent citizens said. Full text of the transcript will be published soon.
Tofael Ahmed, Minister for Commerce and Industry, laid special emphasis on politicians' showing more tolerance and reaching to consensus on basic issues for the betterment of the people.
ploy more time in the business of the House.
The Telecommunications Minister said, government was contemplating to give enough power to local government bodies including independence to
least we bother about our party affiliations'. said the Law Minister.
Answering to a question from Barrister Nazmul Huda, the minister said. "Information. whatever is possible, can be provided . As Huda pressed for right to information, the Law Minister invited the BNP legislator to table a bill in that regard seeking right to information.
He was critical about unscheduled debates and time wastage in the House. The "very motions of MPs sometime seem attacking. Two out of each seven business days can be kept for uttering acrimonies against one another provided we give enough attention to real prob-
put behind the bar. and radio and TV do not cover House proceedings impartially, we are left with no option than to raise protests", said Bhuiyan, a former minister.
He was also critical about committee formation and added that though it was initially decided that a UNDP task force on parliament would have equal representations from both the treasury and opposition benches, but "in the end what we have seen is that our right to select members for the committee is denied."
Khondoker Delwar Hossain. Chief Whip of the Opposition, said that "a nation gets government it deserves." He observed that there were wide dif-
tary committees.
Manzur Elahi, former advisor to the Caretaker Government noted that the opposition MPs in the Fifth Parliament had left the Parliament after three years to resolve various issues on the streets.
"Let the Parliament go to hell, we will solve everything on the streets — this is the attitude of our politicians.” he said.
"There is no instance anywhere in the world that a political party holds a public rally by closing down public roads except in Bangladesh. My appeal to the parliamentarians is: please, if you need to fight for a cause, do it in the parliament, not on the streets." Elahi
some lapses." he added, hi 1979 and in 1991. he sought amendments to the rules of procedure suggesting that the MPs should be neading the parliamentary committees.
He also said that it would not be correct to award ministerial status to those MPs heading the parliamentary committees, which was now being heard.
Documents required by the MPs of the standing committees are often denied on the pretext of seeking permission from the Speaker to make those available, Menon added.
He also suggested that the Public Accounts Committee should be updated and the present back-log from which it was suffering should now be re
Prof Abul Kalam Azad. Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University. said that the responsibility of strengthening of the parliamentary system did not lie with the Parliament itself but with the overall political culture.
He observed that psychological barrier was the main cause of persisting difference between opposing political parties.
"As long as there is disagreement about who will go to power or as long as there is acrimony or distrust or stubbornness among the opposite groups, politicians will continue to fight on the streets and the Parliament will not be strengthened." he pointed out.
traditionally the chairman of the PAC is made from the opposition benches which was violated in 1991 when the BNP formed the government and it was subsequently followed by the Awami League when it formed the government in 1996.
Nazim Kamran, a writer and researcher, also emphasised on the functions of the parliamentary standing committees.
Dr Mohabbat Khan of the Department of Public Administration. Dhaka University observed that the macro aspect of strengthening the Parliament should be given exclusive thrust first, while the nitty gritties of strengthening it could be worked out at the parliament.
Citing some recent developments achieved in furthering the effectiveness of the Parliament. the Commerce and Industries Minister said. "Strengthening of committee system is a Ere-requisite for making the ouse more effective."
Legislators, irrespective of party affiliations, observed Tofael Ahmed, can rise above partisan viewpoint when they sit together at the meetings of parliamentary standing committees but. vyhen they take floor in the House they try to play to the gallery.
In Australia, said the treasury bench stalwart, all pieces of legislations would pass through House committees. He said, in the system of party-government'. none was allowed to express opinion in contrast to partyline but. everyone should keep interest of the country up above anything else.
He said that We can't claim of not making any mistake in running the affairs of the government so far. but at the same time expect that the Opposition will point out those mistakes.
Tofael Ahmed, also a presidium member of ruling Awami League. felt pity that ' wfaM we pledge forget to materialise alter assuming power. All of usntfide some commitments tn 1990. out the subsequent government failed to translate those into realities."
The minister said. "Our government will implement the pledges. Already we have taken initiatives to give autonomy to the electronic media and separate Judiciary from the Executive."
"We have it in our consideration that 37 per cent people voted in favour of our way to power but. at the same lime 63 per cent did not", he said. Citing the culture of "criticism for petty party-interest, the minis ter expressed frustration that although it drew wide felicitations from across the world, the recently striked out Ganges water treaty is being subject to criticism at home from some of the opposition parties.
The Industries Minister said that though the incentive package offered by the government succeeded in drawing good response from foreign investors, issue of "political stability" bothered them much.
Mohammad Nasim. Post and Telecommunications Minister. said that constitutional transfer of power was a must for strengthening the Parliament. He was of the view that legacy of power transfer through unconstitutional means pul hurdles in flourishing parliamentary democracy in the country
Turning to lawmakers playing more of an effective role. Mohammad Nasim observed that in the traditional culture. MPs have to remain stuck up in catering some services to people of their respective constituencies as the people. who get them elected, cherish in mind high expectation. In absence of strong local government set-up. he said, people rely much on lawmakers, who are. otherwise, supjiosed to em-
operate budget and making decisions on various sectors of respective community. He also referred to the government's appointment of respected and neutral personality like Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed as President of the Republic and decision to make non-minister MPs. no matter belonging to treasury or opposition benches, heads of parliamentary committees.
Mohammad Nasim, also the organising secretary of ruling Awami League, said that Jatiya Sangsad Rules of Procedure was being amended and it was being considered to extend JS question-answer time. He said, efforts were on to further strengthen the standing committees.
Mohammad Nasim, a former chief whip of the Opposition in the House, was critical
lems of the people during rest of the time in the Parliament."
Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Secretary General of BNP. said that to make parliamentary system effective, ensuring fairness in elections is a must. He observed that the experience of last parliamentary elections Gviaed the message that even ding polls under a caretaker government was not enough till muscle and money-power persisted.
"Unless we succeed in controlling power of muscle and money, good people will not get an entry to politics, thereby depriving the nation from their valuea services", said Bhuiyan.
Mannan Bhuiyan said that to him the JS Rules of Procedure seemed very clumsy and it required some modifications. According to him. holding some debates on issues of major con-
about rhetorics that often question each other's patriotism, religious belief and selling out independence and sovereignty of the country.
Turning to role of print media. Nasim observed that in some cases newspaper reports highlight JS debates, which are relatively less significant, thereby encouraging lawmakers more in 'gallery show' than in concentrating on issues of real importance.
If we can continue practising parliamentary forms of democracy for two or three terms more, we will reach a point when it will no longer be required to hold such roundta-bles". hoped Nasim.
Abdul Matin Khaaru, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, was of the view that first of all, the lawmakers must have some commitments to render services to people. But. he observed that sometimes the Parliament could not be properly represented as factors like muscle and money play roles otherwise.
He was very vocal in favour of further strengthening of committee system giving an ob servation that "while lawmakers often pursue the practice of publicity mongering on the floor of the House, give full attention sinking all petty political differences in serious business of parliamentary committees."
"When we sit together at meetings of these committees.
cerns could avert lawmakers' need to take floor more frequently on points of order.
He was critical about government’s tendency to always defend the bureaucracy' and said. "Ministers do not execute, bureaucrats are the executors, but the latter are never brought on the dock".
The BNP frontliner said that more transparency could be brought In the process of law-making as the people, more often than not. could not even understand what pieces of legislations their elected representatives were going to enact.
"We don't like to drag politics on the streets. But. when our right to speak is denied in the House, when our workers are
ferences "between our utterances and our deeds.” The Opposition Chief Whip in the Jatiya Sangsad stressed on shaping up some systems in the society, to lay foundation for a better tomorrow so that things get easier for generations to
Delwar Hossain urged upon to bury all little diferences and work together so that the Parliament and its committees can play a more effective role in resolving problems that people face in their day to day life.
He did not accept the proposition thal all evils lie with the politicians and said. "From respective standings and social positions everyone should put, themselves on dock to Judge that "what we have done for the development of the society."
"It is politician, who has to go behind the bar with the
change of power but. bureaucracy that Is responsible for executing government’s decisions into action can escape all responsibilities". said the BNP leader.
He laid emphasis on putting more social pressure on polili cians to cater service for the electorates in an even effective manner.
The Opposition Chief Whip sounded self critical as he said "It's not desired that we will continue to debate on silly issues like who had or who had not entente with Jatiya Party."
Khondoker Delwar Hossain said that steps were required to remove loopholes in the election process. He also stressed on proper formation of parliameu
pointed out.
He observed that the streets were no place to resolve the nitty gritties of national issues. The Parliament was its proper place. By avoiding the Parliament. the political parties themselves were weakening its strength.
Nazma Chowdhury, former Advisor to the Caretaker Government. noted that in order to strengthen the Parliament, special focus should be given to the effective functioning of various ministerial standing committees.
These committees legally do not have enforcing power, neither can the public get access to the reports of these committees." she said.
" In the recent past these committees have become subject to criticism as they are
headed by ministers." She added, a consensus has been reached by almost everybody thal non-mtnisters should head the.se committees. But in such case we need to sort out whether bureaucrats would refuse to give them (non-minis-ters) official documents."
Nazma Chowdhury observed that the works of the Public Ac counts Committee should speed up and a mechanism should be developed to make the committee morieni and up-to-date.
Rashed Khan Menon, Secre tary General of Workers Party, "We have struggled for a long time for a sovereign parlia-
The rules of procedure which is now practised have
moved at the earliest.
Barrister Nazmul Huda. MP. said, it was not necessary for the ruling party to take all the responsibility of the slate machinery. It should allow the responsible people to be answerable instead.
According to Nazmul Huda, true representation of people in the Parliament could only safeguard and help institutionalise democracy in the country. He emphasised on strengthening the electoral rules to cut down the electioneering expenses.
Slashing down the electioneering expenses would automatically reduce the power of muscle to win the elections paving the way for the intellectuals to participate and strengthen the parliamentary democracy in the country, he added.
Huda, a former minister for information, laid emphasis on
"One way to strengthen the Parliament is to find a compromising formula so that no mud-slinging takes place.” He explained further that it was possible to minimise the difference between the political parties by agreeing on areas of common interest like healthcare or education sector.
"If consensus on such issues is reached, the political parties would proceed one step forward in strengthening the Parliament." he added.
Prof Iqbal Mahmud. Vice Chancellor of BUET. maintained. "Before we discuss how to strengthen the Parliament, may 1 ask why the UNDP assistance has been involved in improving the Parliament? 1 find this unacceptable. Why can't we use our own resources in developing it.
"The committee system can
making information more accessible and ensure everyone’s right Io information.
About article 70 of the Con stitution that prevents law makers' floor-crossing, Nazmul Huda said. Taking tHe political culture of our country into consideration this article should continue to exist."
KS Nabi. Attorney General, taking part in the roundtable with a brief deliberation urged for being more cautious about making remarks on issues pending in the courts of law.
Referring to recent House debate on HM Ershad's getting bail the Attorney Genera) said, it was I jet ter to s< hew discussion and debates in the Parliament on matters lying with the
play the key role in dealing with different issues in details. But In this case, inputs in the committee should not be given by " interested advisors'" or bureaucrats. Instead, we can have some advisors or think-tanks in the committee to review and help decide on various Issues."'
He observed that there was an absence of professionalism In drafting laws and emphasised on improving the quality of law education so that the country can have good lawmak-
Barrister Aznirul Islam said, role of the Parliament should be to unpack the wrapping of politics that covers various as-pects of life.
"Our parliament is meant to be the centre ior decisionmaking. but this role is not be ing performed yet", observed
Turning to JS Rules of Procedure (RoP). Barrister Amirul Islam said he did not find any inadequacy in the RoP.
According to him the parliamentarians and experts in the relevant fields should be involved In making the draft of various laws, which is now being done by the government officials before presenting it in the Jatiya Sangsad.
Nazim Kamran Chowdhury, maintained that the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee should be made from among the opposition parliamentarians to make the Sangsad more effective He also observed that
He said. "If I am in power. 1 am okay, if I am not. its not okay — this attitude and intolerance is affecting the parliamentary system. The tendency to bring down the government is standing in the way of the growth of the parliament.
Dr Khan added that mem bers of the parliament should enjoy a greater degree of self dignity as people's representatives and should not aim exclusively at becoming ministers.
He observed that influence of Executive over the Judiciary should go and independence of Judiciary should be upheld.
"When we talk about reform of the Parliament, first we must reform the bureaucracy which is not at all transparent. The bureaucrats play from behind and get away safely when they commit misdet Is because the current system is not transparent." he said.
Hamida Hossain of Ain O Shalish Kendra observed that the first thing required for strengthening the Parliament was sharing the sense of responsibility by all.
She observed that the MPs ,. treated fheptselves as sovereign to tne people. After being elected, public access to them '' 'dramkricaHy; reduced'
। । Sbe'farther observed that although the Parliament proceedings were telecast, information regarding the parliamentary af fairs were inaccessible to the public.
"I think people should be allowed to enter the Parliament and its library. ’ She added. "Several bills have been found to lie defective. They are defective because they were not open to public debate or discussion before they were passed.'
Hamida Hossain recom mended that there should be a public complaint system through which people could meet the parliamentarians and lodge their complaints.
She observed that under the current parliamentary system, the selection of women MPs against reserved seats was un democratic and the women MPs do not truly represent the women professionals or they do not raise voice for women is
"Such selection system should go and a fair system should replace it so that different women organisations rep resent there." Hamida Hossain added.
Mujibul Huq. advisor to UNICEF, said though the nation inherited West Minister type of democracy, credit goes to the colonial era; and our society and the Parliament itself are not yet fully prepared for practicing the cultures of parliamentary democracy.
Haqi a former cabinet secretary. said, the standing committees are the fora where legislators do have a real taste of say over executives.
He called for shunning the practice of mutual acrimony and harassment on the floor of the House to give nascent democracy a chance to flourish and take an institutional