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GUIDELINE TO WORK TOGETHER

JS bodies mum about graft before April 30

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Most of the parliamentary standing committees formed to ensure transparency and accountability of the government have apparently become inoperative because of the opposition deadline to unseat the coalition by April 30 and the prime minister's guideline for them to 'work together' with the ministries, highly placed sources said.
The ruling coalition members of the committees now seem unwilling to raise their voice against alleged corruption and irregularities in various ministries, several chairmen of the bodies told The Daily Star,
seeking anonymity.
Most of the standing committees including 39 on the same number of ministries do not have the main opposition Awami League's representation. The second largest opposition party in parliament, Jatiya Party (Ershad), has members in some committees. But they are not often allowed to discuss any important issue at the committee meetings, they allege.
Most of the standing committees are just waiting for expiry of the April 30 deadline as the heads of these bodies have been advised not to criticise government activities at
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this moment, fearing that would go in favour of the opposition, sources pointed out.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the March 21 BNP parliamentary party meeting advised the chairmen and members of the standing committees to work together and not to behave like the opposition at the committee meetings.
"How will we work together avoiding confrontation with the ministries when we are tasked to scrutinise the ministries' activities? If we mention corruption or irregularities in a ministry, it will go against the government image," said a powerful committee chairman, requesting anonymity.
In the absence of the main opposition on various committees, ruling BNP and Jamat-e-Islami committee members have a significant role. But most of them are apparently not willing to do so. A few committees, including those on communications and commerce ministries, however played their role.
Chairmen of some of the standing bodies initiated a move in February to strengthen the committees and gear up their operation. The move aimed to convey the committees' limitations to the prime minister and urge
amendments to the constitution and the rules of procedure of the Jatiya Sangsad. The opposition deadline to dislodge the government has slowed the move for the time being, one chairman indicated.
Some chairmen, however, denied any stagnancy in the functioning of the committees because of the prime minister's advice or the opposition deadline. They said a lengthy parliament session that began on January 18 and continues still affected the committees' operation to some extent.
The committees are meeting almost regularly but they do not initiate any discussion on important issues, officials at the parliament secretariat said.
"A few committee chairmen avoid the agenda and do not allow any member to initiate any discussion, saying the agenda will be taken up later," said one official seeking anonymity.
However, the chairman of a vital committee said, the minister concerned requested him not to hold meetings frequently. A member of the committee is a rival of the minister and embarrasses him, the chairman added.