Tower in power

Sir, PM Sheikh Hasina seeks another term to institutionalise democracy (the DS 11.7.99). Power makes one a power-seeker and power retainer. So our present PM's desire to seek another term is nothing unusual.

Leaving power and making room for other is actually the institutionalisation of democracy. Retaining power term after term creates autocracy. Have we not seen Nelson Mandela, the legendary leader, leaving power with name, fame and love only after one term as the president of South Africa?

Once our PM says, she will retire from politics by 2004 and again she intends another term in power.

Weaving fiction, is it?

Nur Hossain

151. Bangshal Road.

Dhaka-1100

Eastern Dam

Sir, The PM declared during the last year's devastating flood that she would do everything possible to start the work of the Eastern Dam-cum-By-Pass by November last year. But it is really disheartening to see that she could not keep her commitment at all. Flood, waterlogging and traffic jam — these are the sources of innumerable sufferings of millions of people in and around the city. Nothing could be done to alleviate the distressing condition of the people for the last few years. Delivering lofty speeches and giving valuable messages in the one hand and calling hartals and demonstrations on the other — these are not democracy.

Both the party in power And, the opposition appear to be utterly indifferent to these urgent and basic issues. They are voted to power and they should at least try to do what they have promised to do.

A Samad Patwari 89, Uttar Badda Dhaka

Black hole DCC!

Sir, It is common sight to find manholes without covers or damaged covers all over the city. The drains below are choked, and the manholes are open. The damaged ones crack or give way at the edges, which means, it cannot withstand the pressure of vehicles passing over it.

This is not a new or mysterious problem. Why this manhole-cover problem cannot be licked? (it won't taste nice!). It is reasonable to suspect that the construction of the covers is sub-standard, both in design and in the materials used (which body approved it. and did not improve the design after detection?).

There is no high or new technology , involved here. Therefore the obvious implication is that of graft and corrupted practices involved in the tendering, inspection and acceptance of the goods, and subsequent payment. If there are any guarantee or warranty clauses, these may be brought to public attention, to avoid criticism of the sincere efforts of the mighty DCC.

Open manhole covers in public roads. endanger life. Legal experts may opine if such negligence of duty and responsibility could be construed as manslaughter charge. The theft

of manhole covers is a separate issue. It is not impossible to design pilfer-proof covers. The question arises how these concrete stolen covers are disposed off profitably by the pilferers. Resold to the original users through corrupt practices, because who else could use these and where?

There are viable solutions, but the DCC continues to be stoical about this public hazard, and does not come forward with any public explanation on this" nuisance and menace. If the DCC has any manhole consultant or expert, the undersigned would like to contact him for a heart-to-heart discussion, if that be possible.

AZ

Dhaka

Motijheel CA

Sir. From 8 AM to 6 PM. Motijheel Commercial Area turns into a beehive. Hundreds of people from all walks of life throng into the area. All roads and streets are jam-packed. There is no end of march-past of columns of rickshaws, buses and cars. Haphazard, indiscriminate and disorderly parking of motor vehicles and rickshaws obstruct and impede the movement of traffic. Every pavement of the area is occupied by hawkers and vendors and crowded with people. The place looks more like a mammoth bazaar than an area of commercial offices and banks.

Everything including vegetables. fresh foods flower, plants, cloth, shoes, sarees, lungis, molasses, lentil, readymade garments, wall-clock, spices, fruits, crockeries, electric goods, umbrella and what

not sold at this area?

We wonder why don't the authorities concerned declare Motijheel Commercial Area a village market or a bazaar, a bus and rickshaw depot of the metropolitan city of Dhaka and shift the commercial offices and banks across the river Buriganga or Balu river for the suitability and serviceability of eight million city dwellers of the capital city?

O. H. Kabir

6, Hare Street, Wari. Dhaka 1203

System loss in decision-making process

Sir. It looks as if the government have enough frivolous energy and resources chasing non-issues in lop-sided policy decisions: for example hounding the sex workers out of their earning and habitation — a seemingly wild-goose chase tried for thousand of years. The system loss in public decisionmaking appears to be high!

The top priority today is the deterrent control of terrorism and violence which have infected the society in various forms, making live insecure for ordinary citizens in their daily lives. The breakdown of the law and order situation is serious, whether in the metropolis or outside, including the rural areas. Appeasement encourages breeding of evil. One day the policy makers may be the victims themselves, because Shaitan does not discriminate in spreading the immoral virus.

Why get busy with a non-issue? First control the goondas. (i) the respectable and nontransparent ones, namely the godfathers behind the scene (mostly with 'heavy' political links); and, (ii) the open and transparent terrorist workers usually known as goondas. who work in connivance with the law-enforcing agencies, and are therefore immune to that extent from prosecution and deterrent punishment, except in few isolated cases (for demo or persons of opposing parties), mostly as a result of court-jams, in contrast to the session jams in the educational institutions. Sample detentions (bailable) won’t do — the weaknesses of the current legal provisions have already been pointed out during numerous public discussion. The people can ultimately read the political diversionary movements by an political party or group.

A Husnain Dhaka