**8CHT issue is likely to fashion the course of political events in Bangladesh in the new year; Let us hope and pray for a better future.***

A review of the past year's events in any country is a chronicle of achievements and failures of the government and private sectors combined that reflect the total well-being and progress of a nation. Government's role being preponderant in a developing nation becomes almost synonymous with the welfare or otherwise of the entire nation.

Bangladesh witnessed another year of turmoil In the past year. There was indeed some Kess In certain areas, but they were rela-less in dimension. It was unfortunate, though it could be avoidable. That is why real democratic minded people are filled with despair. The distrust between political parties is being increasingly heightened. The spirit of understanding and compromise is giving way to a mood of inflexibility and confrontation. Let us examine the scenario.

The year commenced with the inexorable bickering between the two major political parties over the conduct of proceedings in the parliament. The principal opposition party, the BNP, continued to allege that their members were being discriminated against — they and their notices were being ignored, they were given less time and their microphone cut off. they were adversely televised and became victims of a partisan chair, etc. The ruling party did not adhere to the provisions of the 4-point agreement concluded with the opposition party at the behest of the Hon'ble Speaker. The Awami League denied the allegations. The BNP walked out of the House and has remained absent since. They advanced 14 point demands and stated that the atmosphere should be made congenial by accepting at least some of the demands so that BNP could return to the House. The government did not comply--

A principal allegation made by the BNP is the continued harassment, arbitrary detention, false police cases and even murder of BNP leaders and workers during this period. There is hardly any BNP member of the parliament against whom false police cases have not been instituted. The refusal of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to repeal the Special Powers Act which she was promise-bound to do also by declaring in the election manifesto before election has caused greater victimisation of political opponents. During the last BNP rule, the press section of the SPA was repealed, restoring total press freedom, and application of the rest of this black Act was much less rigorous than it is now. What was unique in this matter was that for the first time in the history of Bangladesh, the government was imposed monetary fine by the Supreme Court for undue harassment and detention of four former BNP ministers. BNP has resorted to hartals, but much less formidably than the 173 days of hartals, seizes, etc. resorted to by the Awami League during the BNP regime.

In the economic Helds, the record portrays a dismal failure. The prices of essentials are soaring, unbridled. Income of the general public is dwindling, specially in the face of rising inflation. Income generation activities through micro-credit operations are yet to produce the desired result. Unemployment is on the rise. Normal criminal acts are keeping? pace with economic deprivation. Energy sector and the civil aviation system are in the doldrums. Electric load shedding has assumed unprecedented proportions and rise in the price of electricity and petrol raised people's consternation. Farmers hardly retrieve cost of their produce, hiking of the price of fertilisers being a chief ingredient for this shortfall. Industrial production stag-, nated and labour unrest is rampant. Small scale industries as well as small chicken and fish farmers are on the way out. facing stiff competition from smuggled produce from across the borders. Even jugglery of figures by government

agencies could not reduce despair and hardship of the common mass of people.

The high-profile investors' forum became a disappointment for the government. Commitments in general sectors were much less than desired. Net Investment was so insignificant that the government feels shy to publish it. There is. undoubtedly, promise In the future development of gas exploration, which had been initiated by the previous BNP regime. The foreign investors preached a sermon to the government as to what to do and not to do in order to bring about political stability in the country and restore confidence of foreign investors.

In the financial sector, the disaster was perceived from the days of the stock market crash, which siphoned away hundreds of crores of taka in foreign exchange from the country by unscrupulous manipulators. This happened primarily due to the refusal of the government to act on the advice of BNP legislators not to lift the lock-In system. Those responsible for it as well as heavy loan defaulters are scot-free and roam the streets proudly. The aid commitment has been low. as its utilisation was lower before and is expected to be lower still In the coming year. The Central Bank lost its respect and independent role. The government has failed to implement the recommendations of the Pay Commission as promised and to settle differences among government cadres.

The financial index is low. The value of money has eroded three times more In the 18 months of the Awami League rule compared to the 5-year BNP regime, without registering corresponding increase in exports. The foreign exchange reserve has frequently dropped to dangerously low level, invoking help and rescue by the IMF. Liquidity of banks has dwindled ano became more precarious by heavy government borrowing necessitated by low collection of government revenue. Banks almost literally refuse to grant loans to businessmen by giving genuine or fake pretexts.

On the other hand, there were, indeed, some notable achievements. It was more perceptible in highlighting the noble spirit and heroic deeds of the glorious War of Liberation. The visit of the three world statesmen to share our toy in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Independence gladdened our heart. Bangabandhu's contribution to the liberation of Bangladesh was vindicated In no uncertain terms, though the active leadership given by the exiled Mujibnagar government somehow did not receive its due recognition. The trial of Bangabandhu's assassins is proceeding duly as a priority after repealing the Indemnity Bill, thougn this was not a priority of the Awami League and even did not find a place in its election manifesto. Some progress has also been registered in some social sectors, specially In education which also was made possible by following the lead given by the previous BNP government.

The most burning question with which the year 1997 ended for Bangladesh Is the dispute between the government and the opposition, which now swelled to a seven-party conglomerate, over the recently concluded treaty on the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The bitterness and confrontation tlrat ensued on account of this Jssue^ portends evil omen for the nation. That is why a peaceful and amicable settlement Is an Imperative need of the day. A solution can be found only by the goodwill and sincerity of the political leaders. And this can be achieved not through an acrimonious public debate which tends to harden stances of respective contenders, which are fairly known to the general public, but through cordial discussions in a small group without the glare of media publicity and preferably under a third party. This issue Is likely to fashion the course of political events in Bangladesh in the new year. Let us hope and pray for a better future.