"Alternative form of government"

Sir, This in reference to the letter of Mr A Mawaz published in these columns under the above heading on December 1. Mr Mawaz proposed the formation of a Caretaker Government for a longer period (than the scheduled three months) to provide the wallowing politicians some rest period for recovery of their normal sense of direction in guiding the affairs of the country.

A good proposal, indeed! But how can it be implemented? We know the very 'Caretaker Government' was a provision ultravires to the Constitution. The politicians themselves realised their inability to conduct fair election and made the provision of Caretaker Government Constitutional. Now if the above proposal for lengthening the period of the Caretaker Government is to be made a law, the provision should be enacted as such by the Jatiya Sangsad (JS). Would the politicians themselves realise their need of 'some rest period'?

MAS Molla

Dhaka

May the coming year be a happy one

Sir, We don't know what is in store for us in the 21 st century, what is the future of Bangladesh, after the next hundred years Bangladesh will be in what condition. However, the present situation does not augur well, we could see only a black void before us.

May the Almighty Allah have mercy on mankind, may all become united, irrespective of race and religion and strive for peace on earth in the coming year.

Nur Jahan

Chittagong

Residential area or what?

Sir, For about last 20-25 years the residential area of Armanitola has been turned into a godown area wherein the transport agencies and inter-district truck services are always busy in loading and unloading goods and commodities. Hundreds of residential houses have been converted into godowns and most of the roads and streets are blocked and traffic jammed.

Now some traders and merchandisers are trying to grab Wari residential area in order to turn it into a godown area. One by one many houses are being used as godowns and road traffic jams have become a nuisance.

We request DCC, Rajuk and DMP to kindly look into the problems and difficulties of the residents of Armanitola and Wari residential area and to take some effective and concrete steps to alleviate their sufferings.

Would the authorities concerned also define and earmark the residential, commercial, market, industrial and godown areas of the metropolitan city of Dhaka, help maintain and protect their respective utility, security and sanctity and enable the city dwellers to lead a normal and peaceful life?

O. H. Kabir 6 Hare Street Wari, Dhaka

Comfort of a

democracy

Sir, There has been a lot of discussions in

the country in recent time on the question of the citizens' right to criticise the judiciary in a democracy. While all major schools of opinion and the media seem to have endorsed the Western model of democracy without qualification, curiously the bar still seems to believe in a special sacrosanct status for the judiciary.

Needless to add, the above is not tenable in the Western democracy which is making room for more and more in fundamental democratic rights for the people. In fact, freedom of expression of the educated mass and the media has proved to be greatest triumph for Western democracy in the present information age in spite of its weaknesses - and probably the inherent injustice - of capitalism.

I would request the DS to reproduce the comment published in the Washington Post on December 13 on the US Federal Supreme Court judgement in the Bush vs. Gore Case on the US presidential election. This should be an eye opener for those who still believe in a "special status" for any community or profession in our country while professing democracy and accountability.

Khairul Mahmoud 42/H Indira Road Dhaka

Making the wrongs right

Sir, A news story entitled "Stop brain drain, worried JS body urges govt" (DS, Dec. 14, 2000) tells about the concern of the political leaders about tremendous loss the country is incurring, as the meritorious students are going abroad. On principle, it sounds very "patriotic", but the reality is that our corrupted politicians have polluted the country to such a sickening extent that nobody wants to get back to the country when they find a disciplined life abroad despite their yearning for their own country.

The fact is that the politicians do not want those assets of the country back home, as they like to exploit the prevailing situation in the country for their own aggrandisement. I hope you understand where the problem lies.

Mahmudul Hasan

Leicester, UK